ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPA1GN PRODUCTION NOTE University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Brittle Books Project, 2014.COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION In Public Domain. Published prior to 1923. This digital copy was made from the printed version held by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was made in compliance with copyright law. Prepared for the Brittle Books Project, Main Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by Northern Micrographics Brookhaven Bindery La Crosse, Wisconsin 2014riisiisisf1 ^^M^STTLre;/; - I j .^gt-E' IF A Sfc^-} 11 (Cbmt l .$ t i# th e (0 it i4 r it, iVI EMBER OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY 46, Gfiurtovs Street/ ?3$,e,/iyAY/sv& S W. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY 587 CSZt f MLir^ \_J „j . .„4- gtjaamnitMBb- V TOR R_EFEHENfCE O^LV"^2" AND Ml/^TflOT 9E TAKEH OlJTOFTH^ t^OOM. >o._ cg.<FROM THE PHARMACISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE GHIGAOO COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. @oncor&w foil jfyt Utame fcpn. 1871 - 18'7 2. TAB DLAB STATEMENTS OF THE ACCOUNTS OF BELFAST HARBOUR, FROM THE YEAR 1786 TO 1845, BOTH INCLUSIVE, WITH & ©mtal ftmtt of its \ , ANP NOTICES OF CHANGES THAT OCCURRED, FROM TIME TO TIME, IN THE SOURCES OF REVENUE. also, THE ACCOUNT AND REPORT, FOR THE YEAR ENDING- 31st DECEMBER, 184ft. Ov.p.'xatV,a port «A WbarBallast Office, Belfast, January, 1847- The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port and Harbour of Belfast, having determined during last year to publish an annual statement of their accounts, it appeared desir- able to bring down the history of the Port, and the account of its revenue from the period when its importance made it a subject of legislative enactment. With this object the following Report and Tables were prepared from documents existing in this office. The accounts of each respect- ive Corporation have been kept distinct, and in cases of Income and Expenditure, where, as sometimes occurs witli the Graving t)ocks, the public ac£dunt lost by the afccomimbdation afforded, the figures are printed in Red. The notes appended to the Tables illustrate any changes which took place, or circumstances that influenced particular sources of revenue. EDMUND GETTY. s GENERAL REPORT ON BELFAST BARBOUR. * yj S ■2 Originally this Harbour, which was a creek off the River Lagan, in the entrance to the stream now arched over in High- *** Street, was under no regular government, and was, most probably, considered the property of the Chichester family. In 1637 the Earl of Strafford purchased from the Corporation of Carrickfergus-^-the only stronghold in the bay—a privilege they enjoyed, of receiving to their use one-third of all the Custom's Duties on goods, imported into that city, and other trading monopolies. From this time the trade of Belfast became important. This fact, as well as the supposed danger of the navigation, is alluded to in a poem called the "Sea Peace," printed in 1750, but written, perhaps, 20 years before. There is also a notice in 1688, by Sacheverell, in his "Isle of Man," who represents it as a place of brisk trade. The first legislative interference was in 1729 :—3rd George II. wherein it is assigned as a reason for appointing the Sovereign and Free Burgesses Conservators of the Harbour, that "it had become extremely shallow, by which means voyages have been prolonged to the very great prejudice of trade, and His Majesty put to extraordinary expense and charge in keeping Officers longer on board the vessels, trading to and from the said Town, than would be needful, had the said Harbour and Channel been preserved in the same condition it formerly was." Several entries are found in the Municipal Corporation Books of By-Laws made, and other proceedings under this Act FROM 1785 TO 1831. The Act, 25th George III. cap. 64, repealed this former Act, and gave fuller powers to a separate Corporation then appointed, from which time dates the Improvement of the Harbour. From the Minutes of the Meetings held under its authority, it appears, that the attention of the Corporation was principally confined to the removal of several artificial Fords from the river, and gradually deepening it by dredging. A plat- form for Graving was made in 1791—two Graving Docks were also constructed. One opened in November, 1800. A second in March, 1826. In 1786 the South Channel, the one now in use, was ordered to be buoyed, but from the brief nature of the entries it j>r> is impossible to ascertain if it then superseded the old North Channel, which Captain M'Kibbin, in his evidence before Captain Washington, stated to have been, at one time to his knowledge, deeper than at present. It is not improbable the old North Channel was the original line of the river, and if so, an argument is furnished against the opinion of some persons, that the second straight cut would tend to injure Gavmoyle, even though left unbanked, and the drainage through the Seal Channel continued. This natural basin, the cause of whose formation was first pointed out by Mr. Smith, as being most likely found in the meeting of the Lagan with the Seal Channel, is the only part of the river having a name derived from the ancient Irish language, and we may therefore conclude it dates from a very remote era, and of course that the causes in which it originated are equally remote, and were active when the channel was straight. * ^ By an entry in 1791, it appears the Marquis of Donegall proposed to make Wet and Dry Docks at his own expense, leaving the Corporation to deepen the river. This accounts, in some measure, for no steps being taken by this body to form docks or quays.2 In 1795 the Corporation, after much negociation, persuaded his lordship to grant them a lease of the ground now occupied by Graving Docks. In the same year, in a letter to his lordship's agent, the following report of the Harbour is given "Belfast, 6th January, 1795. "SIR, " As a Member of the Incorporate Society for Improving the Port and Harbour of Belfast, as well as a well- wisher to the interest of the town, I beg leave, on the present occasion, to address you. There has already been a good deal of correspondence between that Corporation and individuals of it with you, on the subject of obtaining from the Marquis of Donegall a part of the strand adjoining to the old Limekiln Dock,* so as to permit Dry Docks being built, and Ballast Wharfs made, for the accommodation of the shipping belonging to and resorting to this Port. From the Duties payable to the Corporation a very essential lasting improvement and advantage has already been made in our Harbour—many different shoals have been removed, and the channel so far deepened the whole line from Garmoyle to the quays, that vessels, two feet and a-half greater depth of water, are now brought to the quays than could have been formerly. "These two years past the Corporation have been carrying on this business to much disadvantage, on account that they are not in possession of such a piece of the strand whereon could be laid the Ballast as dredged, and not immediately at the time wanted by shipping. They have now an accumulated sum of money lying in Bank which they wish much to expend by beginning to make Docks for the accommodation of merchants, who look to them, and with reason, that these funds, arising from Duties paid in great part by themselves, should be expended on those useful purposes they were originally intended for. I am bold to say, sir, that there is not one individual of the Corporation who has not at heart the real interest of this town, a strong desire to promote its prosperity, and a natural wish to co-operate in every respect, so far as their judg- ment or abilities may permit them, for the advantage of its commerce. They can have no view of particular advantage to themselves in the expenditure of the funds belonging to the Corporation, further than as they may be interested as merchants or ship-owners wishing to have the opportunity of enjoying those necessary accommodations so as to allow their shipping to be repaired under their own inspection, and the money thus expended to remain for the local benefit of the trader and mechanic at home. When viewed in this light, their application merits the attention of the proprietors of this populous town. They are content to accept of a lease of the piece of strand alluded to for 99 years, a time the Marquis of Donegall grants to his tenantry in general for building in the town, and the part of the strand looked for being so near to if not adjoining lots granted for such term, they have every reason to hope their application may be recommended by you who have been pleased to shew a marked attention to the improvement of the trading and commercial interest of Belfast. At this moment the funds of the Corporation are increasing without their having it in their power further so usefully to employ them as they can do by being in possession of the piece of strand -for the purposes already mentioned, and they are debarred from having the oppor- tunity of laying out the money in such way as may be of the most immediate essential advantage to the mercantile interest of the place. When this is considered, as well as that all the public money which shall be expended, must ultimately fall, with the expiration of their lease, into the Marquis of Donegall's family, they trust that you will state their application in the most favourable point of view to his lordship. At their desire have I wrote you on this subject, requesting your reply as soon as convenient. " I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, "JOHN HOLMES. " To Sir Charles Henry Talbot, Bart. Inner Temple, London.*' Between this period and July, 1814, the Corporation had expended on the ground leased from the Marquis of Done- gall, including the construction of Graving Dock, No. 1, upwards of £13,500. In November 1814, Mr. Kilally reported on the Harbour, by order of the Commissioners of Customs in Ireland, and recommended two plans, one to cost, including the purchase o^ ground, £99,690, the other also including purchase of ground, £122,600. It would appear from a reference in Mr. Kilally's report, that a Ship Canal between the town and the deep water at the mile-water reach, whereby vessels of 400 tons might come up fully laden, was in contemplation, being most probably planned for the Corporation by Mr. Kilally himself, when here on Government business. In 1815 Mr. Rennie inspected the Harbour, and reported to the Right Honourable Robert Peel, then Irish Secretary; he again reported in 1821, by order of the Lords of the Treasury. He gave two plans. The estimate for the first, exclusive of new Custom House, Stores, and Boundary wall, as well as purchase of ground, amounted to the sum of £531,680; for the * Afterwards called Ritchie's Dock.3 second, including the purchase of property and expense of boundary wall, £259,450. The buildings of the Custom House? &c. were estimated at £120,000. The value of property to be purchased amounted by his estimate to £147,280. In August, 1826, the present Sir John Rennie reported on the Harbour, by desire of the Corporation, and gave in three plans—the first amounting to £131,674; the second, £134,660; and the third, £269,547; all exclusive of ground to be purchased. In November, 1829, Mr. Telford was consulted, and prepared a plan for the improvement of the Harbour, which he estimated to cost, exclusive of property to be purchased, £404,310. It may be here useful to take a retrospect of the proceedings of the Corporation up to this date, with the view of assigning some reason why, with the increasing trade of the port, so little had been done for its improvement. In the first place, the Donegall family, the proprietors of the town, and all the property in its neighbourhood, them selves wished to form the Harbour, and were reluctant to grant even a very small portion of ground to the Corporation, and there is no doubt their power would have prevented any bill not sanctioned by them passing. In the second place, the question was taken up and held in suspense by the Government of the country for several years; but this was at a time when their interference was considered desirable in a community like Belfast, which possessed- little means of raising funds for such a purpose, the capital of the country being exhausted by the effects of a long and ex- pensive war. It is likely the undertaking was abandoned by the Government, in consequence of the new ideas which now began to prevail, respecting the interference of Government in such matters, and the necessity of economising the public revenue. There was, however, no apathy on the part of the people of Belfast, who took advantage of the opportunity afforded them, of having the advice of the eminent engineers sent by Government, respecting those questions relating to the Harbour, more immediately committed to the Ballast Corporation, such as the improvement of the River. When left to their own resources, the Ballast Corporation, having first obtained copies of all Reports and Estimates in the possession of Government, the scale and amount of which naturally alarmed them, called in Mr. John Rennie and Mr. Telford, whose views are shown in the foregoing Reports. No sooner were Mr. Telford's plans and estimates exhibited to the inhabitants, than a strong remonstrance was sent in, dated 3rd December, 1829, from the leading merchants of the town, who deprecated the idea of such an outlay, as likely "materially to injure the growing trade of the port." They, at the same time, urged the necessity of some moderate improvement, giving a "less circuitous and deeper channel." Mr. John Rennie was now again invited to report, "keeping in view," to use his own words, "in the formation of the place, such a prudent scale of expenditure, as will obtain the most important objects at present wanted, with the power of extending it hereafter, according to the increasing wants of the trade." Sir John Rennie's second report to the Corporation was dated 10th December, 1829, and his estimates to complete the various works proposed by him, amounted to £369,982, exclusive of purchases of property. • About this time a Committee, called the Town Committee, appointed at a public meeting, were in communication with the Corporation, and the effect of the various plans now before the inhabitants was to distract the public mind, and during the year 1830 the newspapers abounded with letters in favour of or against some particular plan—some advocating the most ex- tensive projects, and others running into the opposite extreme, alarmed at the heavy taxation in which the trade of the town might be involved. A middle party contended with both, in favour of a moderate and gradual outlay, so conducted as to admit of an extension of the plan as trade increased. With these views, Messrs. Walker and Surges were consulted, and Mr. Walker having visited Belfast, they furnished a plan which met the views of so many individuals, that the Corporation felt themselves warranted in adopting it, and seeking for an amended Act, which received the royal assent 23rd August, 1831, as the Act 1st & 2nd Win. IV. cap. 55, givitfg the necessary powers to carry into effect the long desired improvement of Belfast Harbour. They give two plans.4 " Analysis of the Report of Messrs. WaM&r and Burges, dated 10th July, 1830, and addressed to the Corporation. "Plan A—1st. To deepen the present channel of the river, from Garmoyle to the buoy of the*flats, near the mouth the Seal Channel, and to make a new cut for the river from that point, in the direction of the old North Channel, to near the flat perch, from which to deepen the present channel up to the mile-water perch—the depth throughout to be 12 feet at low water. "A 2nd. From a little above the mile-water perch, to form a straight cut or channel for the river, to the upper end of the Ballast-Bank reach—this also to be 12 feet at low water. "A 3rd. To form a recess, with fifteen feet at low water, in which a few vessels may be moored, without receiving injury from taking the ground, should they come up too late in the tide to enter the dock ; and to construct an entrance dock, 180 feet long, 48 feet wide, and 12 feet under low water, to the proposed Dock. "In order to render this part perfect, a quay wall, 1000 feet long, with 12 feet at low water in front of it, is earned from the wing wall of the lock up to the Corporation ground—the expense of this is included in the estimate. "A 4th. To make a wet Dock, extending in length from east to west 1200 feet, and in width 400 feet, being an area of about eleven acres, with a quayage 3,100 feet long, the depth to be as in the river and lock, viz.:—12 feet under low water, the quays to be formed 200 feet, and the surrounding road 60 feet wide. "Plan B—1st. To straighten and deepen the river from Garmoyle up to near the mile-water perch, as has already been described, this part being common to the two plans proposed by us. "B 2nd. To form an embanked cut or canal, 250 feet wide and 12 feet deep at low water, from the mile water tothe proposed dock, a length of 400 feet nearest the entrance to be widened, and to have fifteen feet at low water, thus forming a kind of tide Basin, in which vessels may safely lie, in case of their being prevented from entering the dock the same tide they come up the canal. This basin will also tend to increase the stillness of the water at the Lock gates, which object may be still further secured by jetties or break-waters at the end of the Basin, as sketched on the 'plan, should they be found requisite. "B 3rd. To construct an entrance lock of the dimensions specified for plan A. "B 4th. To make a wet Dock, 1,400 feet long and 400 feet wide, being an area of about thirteen acres, with a quayage of 3,500 feet, the depth to be as before, viz.;—12 feet under low water, the quays also 200 feet, and the road 60 feet wide. The estimate for plan A, is .... .... .... .... £180,000 Do. do. B, .... .... ' .... .... 157,000 Or, with certain additions, .... .... .... .... 210,000 exclusive of the purchase of property." To procure powers to carry into effect the views of Messrs. Walker and Burges the Corporation applied for their Amended Act, which came into operation in August, 1831. * The following statement brings the Accounts of the Corporation up to the termination of the Act of 1785, when according to the Audit Office Account, £19,431 13s. 5fd. of a balance was passed from the old Corporation to that incor- porated by the new Bill. The Corporation, in their Report to the Audit Office, show where this balance exists, being princi- pally advancod for work executed but not finally vouched until afterwards, when it is regularly accounted for. A Government Order, dated 4th December, 1828, had discharged the Corporation from its responsibility in the case of £3,178 0s. 2|d. a deficiency discovered, in the year 1819, in the Accounts of the then Ballast Master, but held over at the Audit Office till that period. There still exists a discrepancy in the balance which cannot now be fully explained, in con- sequence of the want of some documents—part of it arises from the change of currency after 1825, and a part is caused by sums disallowed by the Impress Account Office in one year, being afterwards charged as new payments in succeeding accounts.St. The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port CHARGE. GARMOYLE PROFIT ON | BALLAST. PILOTAGE. GRAVING DOCiS. DATE. TOTAI< LICENSES AND ^AVP,TllVMnR!\T CUSTOM HOUSE. QUAYAGE. SUNDRY CRANEAGE. TONNAGE. TONNAGE. INTEREST. FINES. MOORINGS. ' UU V JUXVJ* iTI TiH L | QTnrir I RECEIPTS. ' OlvvJW* RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NET p. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ S. d £ s. d. £ ?. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ s d. i £ 8. d. £ s d. £ 8. d. 1786 34,287 267 1 1 0 0 0 29 19 9£ 0 0 0 0 0 0 678 12 2 326 18 6 351 13 8 582 8 3 355 1 10 227 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1787 48,199 343 9 0 10 2 4 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 967 12 4 368 13 8 598 18 8 699 11 10 417 5 6 282 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *0 0 000 1788 47,526 325 2 94 21 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 916 4 2 435 15 8 480 8 6 710 15 9 415 18 9$ 294 1 6 114 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 1789 41,818 283 12 9 26 8 9 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 765 17 1 494 13 2J 271 1 10J 655 1 94 389 14 7 265 r 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1790 48,131 335 18 0 45 19 4 4 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 930 10 8 528 3 4 402 7 4 821 8 24 479 17 3 341 1 0 iij 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1791 52,596 365 15 6 45 19 4 3 12 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 973 3 10 554 5 8 418 18 2 910 6 8 548 14 8 361 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 000 ♦ 1792 58,057 403 17 2 48 5 4J 6 15 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1091 5 11^ 553 5 9 538 0 24 1009 7 8 579 2 5} 430 5 24 0 0 0 OOO! 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 *1793 50,657 342 18 6£ 50 3 7 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1002 18 8 495 13 4 507 5 4 843 13 2 508 4 11 335 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0! 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *1794 53,889 374 11 2£ 54 6 2$ 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 975 16 10 475 2 8 500 14 2 945 10 6 557 11 2-i 387 1 9 34 000 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *1795 52,596 365 18 10J 76 9 24 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 992 15 10 485 17 10 506 18 0 ' 927 4 8$ 553 10 64 3731 1 4 2 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 *1796 63,976 445 0 11 98 3 14 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1169 14 0 499 18 2 669 15 10 1037 16 9J 588 0 7 449 1 6 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 1797 42,738 291 12 5J 0 0 0 139 14 24 000 0 0 0 729 16 4 364 2 0 365 14 4 745 13 54 452 4 24 293 9 3 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 f 1798 51,477 436 8 8 59 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1131 16 7 498 7 8 633 8 11 1079 18 11 618 6 10 461 1 2 1 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1799 58,058 437 1 4J 13 3 4} 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1269 5 7 521 11 3 747 14 4 1011 5 7 554 16 7 456 9 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 *1800 55,268 415 14 94 50 0 0 26 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1336 0 6 551 14 11 784 5 7 898 11 64 501 12 7 396 i 3 114 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 1 2 0 0 0 *1801 54,338 409 5 2 18 3 114 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1116 19 0 467 18 6 669 0 6 963 19 3J 544 2 5 419 1 s 104 000 0 0 0 I 112 9 0 54 5 4 58 3 8 6 10 0 0 0 0 *1802 58,724 441 18 8J 54 6 5 1 2 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1310 3 4 571 3 11 738 19 5 996 1 4J 581 18 10 414 2 64 000 0 0 0 i 107 7 14 21 2 1 86 5 0$ 0 0 0 0 Q 0 1803 65,498 492 18 4} 61 6 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1430 17 8 639 0 8 791 17 0 1072 9 4J 607 8 9 465 3 74 0 0 0 0 0 0! 221 17 9 260 6 5 38 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 1804 71,173 512 19 11| 23 0 1 28 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1480 4 6 705 13 6 774 11 0 1122 0 7 638 14 10$ 483 5 84 0 0 0 000! 163 3 2 356 3 7$ 193 0 5$ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1805 69,582 506 14 8 31 1 3 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1457 18 8 781 7 8 676 11 0 1053 19 9£ 582 7 24 471 1 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 264 6 8 212 15 10 51 10 10 §370 0 0 0 0 0 1806 80,326 579 17 8 91 5 10 88 16 9£ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1491 0 8 917 13 9 573 6 11 1182 18 II4 677 12 34 505 5 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 353 12 0 281 I 54 72 10 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1807 80,420 578 5 5 •141 6 3 29 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1414 3 0 736 14 8 677 8 4 1242 14 4 688 8 7J 554, 5 84 0 0 0 0 0 0 275 15 10 269 3 3 6 12 7 j 0 0 0 0 0 0 1808 83,638 559 5 5 180 6 10 19 10 IO4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1416 4 10 901 7 3 514 17 7 1205 13 34 731 7 2 474 5 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 229 7 11 168 2 2 61 5 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1809 74,387 610 5 1 203 14 4 23 14 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1409 0 8 1027 10 5 1 381 10 3 1345 13 O4 734 17 OJ 610 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 317 16 11 822 4 84 4 7 94 I 000 0 0 0 1810 95,211 716 3 11 247 3 4 11 6 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 1637 10 10 835 15 10 801 15 0 1551 4 II4 861 17 0 689 7 Hi 0 0 0 0 0 0 316 2 2 344 13 I04 28 11 84 0 0 0 0 0 0 1811 95,753 715 6 7 323 14 9£ 12 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1858 13 10 901 4 8 957 9 2 1540 16 64 822 0 1 718 1 3 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 342 1 6 283 7 54 58 14 0$ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1812 117,231 812 13 11 438 11 0 16 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2010 18 3 982 11 5£ 1028 6 9J 1833 3 10 1046 17 7J 786 5 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 294 0 5 257 3 4$ 36 17 04 0 0 0 0 0 0 1813 97,670 701 16 3 492 15 3 23 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1663 3 11$ 796 4 7i . 866 19 4 1690 3 4J 924 12 5 765 1 ) Hi 0 0 0 Q 0 0 276 12 3 241 6 I 35 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1814 90,486 626 5 11 565 15 5 12 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1449 3 11 689 11 11 759 12 0 1460 9 2 812 4 0 648 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 325 4 3 153 8 10$ 171 15 4$ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1815 91,371 631 2 3 561 10 7 7 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1505 14 5J | 750 17 2 754 17 3£ 1463 17 8 845 6 3 618 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 245 9 10 175 9 54 70 0 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 1816 88,770 616 5 0 684 5 0 7 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1191 \0 2 604 7 2 587 3 0 1365 16 0 761 0 94 604 1 5 24 0 0 0 000 205 13 74 308 9 1 102 15 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1817 73,959 699 16 0 495 2 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1459 10 0 724 7 10 j 735 2 2 1513 18 11 891 12 84 622 3 24 0 0 0 000 285 2 94 321 19 64 36 16 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1818 127,263 865 9 3 473 1 3 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1643 19 § 795 7 11 ! 848 11 9 1908 0 8 1089 5 7 818 1 > 1 0 0 0 0 00 319 11 2 168 0 3 151 10 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 1819 131,590 892 2 2 300 16 7 18 5 0 000 0 0 0 1593 12 0 712 8 4 881 3 8 1984 19 4} 1152 16 1 832 1 34 0 0 0 000 368 3 84 275 8 74 92 15 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1820 127,335 853 8 3 126 12 6 16 14 0 000 0 0 0 1478 11 0 403 13 5J 1074 17 6£ 2048 2 2 1196 13 64 851 5 n 160 8 114 000 240 9 10 160 1 6 80 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1821 136,495 942 0 0 334 1 1 7 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1655 1 3 455 9 0£ 1199 12 2326 12 44 1330 3 5 996 J 114 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 14 IO4 211 4 1 44 10 94 0 0 0 0 0 0 1822 153,500 1067 9 6 380 3 8 11 17 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 2015 11 4 584 10 2 1431 1 2 2594 7 3 1476 12 24 1117 1 > 04 0 0 0 000 230 12 0 201 5 9 29 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1823 152,437 1054 16 1 415 13 10 4 15 II4 22 10 0 0 0 0 1512 12 6 408 17 7 1103 14 11 2712 11 6 1546 13 0 1165 1 3 6 23 2 9 000 273 17 0 199 2 11$ 74 14 04 0 0 0 0 0 0 1824 175,294 754 17 24 365 7 4 11 15 0 74 5 0 0 0 0 2066 2 9 676 8 3£ 1389 14 5£ 3019 5 9 1696 15 24 1322 1 ) 6$ 0 0 0 000 492 18 04 158 5 3$ 334 12 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 1825 183,441 1105 7 1 148 4 8 16 0 5J 87 15 0 0 0 0 1763 6 11 ! 687 17 6J 1075 9 2727 12 9 1851 15 3 875 1 r 6 0 0 0 000 352 1 14 221 5 114 130 15 2 boo 0 0 0 1826 209,252 1225 5 11J 266 8 5 9 5 0 108 13 1 754 9 5 2298 4 1} j 897 6 11 1400 17 2| 2647 0 11} 1746 10 2£ 900 1 ) 94 260 18 11 000 511 0 6 153 12 2 357 8 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 1827 219,148 1262 14 2 5 10 0 9 10 0 101 5 0 0 0 0 2004 15 3 845 16 6J 1158 18 8i 2676 4 3 1835 9 0 840 1 > 3 0 0 0 4 7 6 667 18 4 244 8 4 423 10 0 I 0 0 0 3 0 0 1828 241,568 1369 2 6 20 18 6 10 15 0 104 15 0 0 0 0 1913 6 11 897 1 11 j 1016 5 0 2972 17 3 2042 16 6 930 ) 9 0 0 0 60 14 5 616 2 3 309 3 9 j 806 18 6 0 0 0 1 12 11 1829 257,522 1498 8 6 20 13 0 17 15 6 145 0 0 0 0 0 2229 1 5 928 5 84 1300 15 Bi 3246 11 7 2144 4 6 1102 i 1 0 0 0 80 5 3 666 2 2 373 9 14 292 13 0$ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1830 246,493 1415 0 1 24 17 4 6 6 0 107 8 0 0 0 0 1936 9 9 956 13 8 979 16 1 3050 19 8 2096 19 0 954 ) 8 0 0 0 69 4 7 484 1 7 335 4 7 148 17 0 000 0 0 0 *1831 166,561 959 6 4 1 13 4 9 10 0 83 0 0 0 0 0 1368 7 10 726 13 5J 641 14 4£ 2072 0 0 1345 7 3 726 1 2 9 407 17 4 65 12 8 413 11 8 229 6 11$ 184 6 8| 0 0 0 1 0 0 30910 10 5f 8097 8 9J 764 18 54 842 11 1 754 9 5 65713 11 Of | 30164 7 2 35549 3 10£ 71471 0 lOf 42824 11 4£ 28646 ) 64 852 7 114 280 4 5 8718 11 04 5357 2 8$ , 3361 8 34 398 4 2 7 12 11 i i 1509 16 5 1913 17 3 1 404 0 10 1 1 10228 7 5J 7270 19 11$ 2957 7 5$ GENERAL NOTES In 1816 first Steamer crossed to Belfast from the Clyde. The sums received from Custom House were as an indemnity for loss by vessels of nations which had made commercial treaties with Great Britain, and were to be treated with from Graving Docks, being taxes from that property. The Dock-master's salary is also a sinfu the privileges, as to trade, lar chjarge, of subjects. § This receipt for utensils sold. A portion of the sum charged under office expenses should be deducted and Harbour of Belfast, GENERAL NOTES In 1816 first Steamer crossed to Belfast from the Clyde. The sums received from Custom House were as an indemnity for loss by vessels of nations which had made commercial treaties with Great Britain, and were to be treated with from Graving Docks, being taxes from that property. The Dock-master's salary is also a sinfu the privileges, as to trade, lar chjarge, of subjects. § This receipt for utensils sold. A portion of the sum charged under office expenses should be deductedFROM 1786 to 31st AUGUST, 1831. DISCHARGE. €t\ GENERAL NOTES. BALLAST.—At Belfast, 2v. per Ton; at Garmc^le, 2*. 6d.; Foreigners, one third additional; Ccllier3, one third less. PILOTAGE.—British or Irish Vessels into Garmoyle from sea, or vice versa, drawing 9 to 10 feet, Us. A±d.: 10 to 12 feet, 16v. 3d.; 12 to 14 feet, £1 2s. 9d.; 14 and ^ TONNAGE.—Foreign Vessels, 3d.; British and Irish 2d. per Ton: Colliers one third less. CHARGES. J upwards £2 5..-. Garmo>le to Belfast, and vice vers.t, 4 to 6 feet, 5s. bd ; G to 7 L^et, 8.. 8d., 7 to 8 feet, 10y. 1 Od.; 8 to 9 feet, 13v.; 9 *nd upwards, same rate s as to and from Garmoyle and Sea. * Thus marked, the return of vessels and tonnage is lost; but the amounts are calculated ty their proportion to the money received, and may be considered accurate for all practical I purposes. f Year 1798 a change in time of accounts takes place. This year extends to 25th March, 1799. From this tim i till 1800 jha accounts are furnished from 25th March to 25th March, in which ye ir the account is only for 9 months and 6 days, t Tin* only extends to six months of the year, the Act of 1785 having been repealed by an Act which received the Royal v Assent 23d of August, 1831. At tho same period, Gravii g Dock No. 2 was almost co.npkt.jd, abo a Steam Dredge, which together naarl^absorbed the balance remaining in the hands of tho Old Corporation. These sums appear as,payments in tha accounts under the Act of 1831. date. garmoyle bepair of office utensils. law expenses. engineering. improvements. dredging. salaries. annuities. poor. h irbour perches and printing and incidents. ! rent of surplus excess of moorings. lighters. expense. • 'olice. buoys. stationery. property. income. expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 5. d. £ s. d. £ s. d £ s. d £ s d. £ s. a. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. j £ s d. £ s. d. £ s d. 1786 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 18 61 119 1 5 150 10 4 35 11 11} 17 1 3 0 0 0 106 13 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 ooo 62 8 7£ 0 0 0 34 10 4 ooo 310 4 9 ooo" 1787 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 16 7J 729 13 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 114 18 91 0 0 0 143 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 16 10 9 8 5 5 4 1 ooo 211 17 11 ooo 1788 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 9 6 397 12 2j 0 0 0 0 0 0 116 13 5 0 0 0 136 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 4 7 3 8 11} 8 4 6 J ooo 401 5 2 0 0 0 1789 0 0 0 186 5 1} 15 7 li 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 277 18 51 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 15 6} 0 0 0 10 7 71 ooo 163 16 81 0 0 0 1790 0 0 0 £52 0 1 13 13 0 0 0 0 11 11 10 0 0 0 464 3 6 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 17 9} 7 3 8 r 5 8| ! ooo 75 0 01 ooo 1791 0 0 0 274 9 3} 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 834 19 4} 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 12 10 0 0 0 21 15 7 ooo 0 0 0 147 9 4 *1792 0 0 0 398 19 1% 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 699 11 0 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 48 0 3i 0 0 0 21 6 8 ooo 90 3 41 0 0 0 *1793 0 0 0 232 14 1J 12 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 549 10 0 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 6 5 7 4 10} 20 12 5} ooo 198 17 7 0 0 0 *1794 0 0 0 301 8 5} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 399 17 6 0 0 0 155 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 88 1 1 6 13 5 54 18 7 ooo 317 1 10 a o o *1795 0 0 0 328 10 4} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 7 101 0 0 0 165 14 3} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 17 81 0 0 0 53 17 10 0 0 0 706 12 2 0 0 0 *1796 0 0 0 248 11 8} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 482 9 10 0 0 0 181 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 12 9 20 9 2} 65* 0 3 ooo 647 12 10 0 0 0 1797 0 0 0 181 17 6} 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2291 17 51 0 0 0 181 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 4 6 3 19 5i 51 3 3 ooo 0 0 0 1631 11 111 11798 0 0 0 81 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 16 8 0 0 0 1461 18 41 0 0 0 213 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 0 1 7 10 3 29 6 0£ 30 2 0 0 0 0 266 5 4 1799 0 0 0 149 18 3J 13 13 0 280 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1293 1 9 0 0 0 182 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 7 1 12 4 10 48 16 2 20 1 4 0 0 0 373 1 101 *1800 0 0 0 227 14 6} 24 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1102 5 7 0 0 0 138 14 6i 0 0 0 0 0 0 oool 36 16 01 3 14 9 24 4 8 0 0 0 136 18 61 0 0 0 *1801 0 0 0 102 7 3J 34 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 980 0 4 0 0 0 218 2 91 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 9 1 24 4 4 22 16 51 0 0 0 146 6 9i 0 0 0 *1802 0 0 0 482 7 5} 36 17 51 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 6 462 5 9 0 0 0 296 3 6i 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 69 7 21 11 3 7} 20 16 51 0 0 0 355 7 101 0 0 0 *1803 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 18 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 11 0 2013 19 8 0 0 0 346 15 10 19 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83 17 51 20 13 .31 57 7 4 40 2 8 0 0 0 847 5 0 1804 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1065 12 7 0 0 0 332 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 282 4 5i 14 2 81 62 9 4 20 1 4 0 0 0 197 16 0l 1805 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 286 2 3 114 3 1 272 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0 4 27 4 9} 40 2 51 20 1 4 1291 1 1 0 0 0 1806 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 302 6 10 97 3 5$ 252 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 6 Hi 0 0 0 48 7 31 20 1 4 1068 3 6 0 0 0 1807 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 13 6} 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 7 6 126 17 51 382 19 9 1 309 5 0 17 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 98 14 41 19 5 8 34 1 10 0 0 0 936 15 7 0 0 0 1808 0 0 0 0 0 0 67 2 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 126 17 0 250 7 1| 1 379 5 0 319 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 227 0 3 15 17 10 23 10 6J 20 1 4 668 1 7 0 0 0 1809 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 55 8 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 273 4 31 177 18 I 386 10 0 28 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 227 1 4} 32 15 0 19 11 2 i 20 1 4 G04 12 81 0 0 0 1810 0 0 0 i 1 0 0 0 53 1 10} 42 12 21 9 6 4 0 0 0 587 3 101 115 8 9 j 386 10 0 25 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 104 9 7 32 3 4} 18 3 111 40 2 8 1022 12 10 0 0 0 1811 0 0 0 i 1 0 0 0 46 8 11J ! 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 7 6 0 0 0 228 0 ll£ I 374 0 0 47 0 1} 0 0 0 0 0 0 134 8 3 33 18 7 43 13 3 20 1 4 1847 12 1 0 0 0 1812 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 " 116 12 8J I 0 0 0 12 6 4 0 0 0 115 3 0 84 12 0 I 1 411 10 0 25 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 325 12 81 46 18 5 9 13 8 20 1 4 1951 9 71 0 0 0 1813 0 0 0 0 0 0. 100 14 11^ I 0 0 0 0 0 0 113 15 0 83 13 5 101 5 7J I 422 17 6 29 14 8 500 0 0 0 0 0 20 6 3} 32 15 1} 1 7 51 20 I 4 #1459 6 71 0 0 0 1814 0 0 0] 0 0 0 87 3 0^! 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 12 9 0 0 0 145 10 5 422 17 6 25 9 2 0 0 0 j 0 0 0 53 13 8} 23 6 2 14 1 10 20 1 4 1957 7 ill 0 0 0 1815 0 0 0 j 0 0 0 134 7 1* 0 0 0 0 0 0 91 0 0 176 15 41 153 7 64 ; 435 16 3 43 15 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 19 11} 36 12 11 29 16 8 20 1 4 1510 19 5 0 0 0 1816 0 0 0 i 102 16 11 116 15 91 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 13 10 0 0 0 146 11 0 448 15 0 50 16 2 1000 0 0 0 0 0 20 4 6 30 5 4 14 12 9 20 1 4 424 10 1 0 0 0 1817 0 0 0 0 0 0 124 8 7} 163 7 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 291 17 1 I ! 448 15 0 i 61 4 5 1300 0 0 0 0 0 15 6 10 30 1 10 31 18 2 20 1 4 36 9 0 0 0 0 1818 0 0 0 j 0 0 0 133 14 101 367 5 6 0 0 0 56 17 6 0 0 0 271 3 10 448 15 0 61 10 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 57 2 9 20 19 6 16 2 31 20 1 4 1715 15 0 0 0 0 1819 0 0 0 0 0 0 173 7 6j 1455 13 11 1076 7 7 0 0 0 6390 14 4 140 0 5} 448 15 0 77 13 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 6 8} 50 4 9|i 17 13 2 20 1 4 0 0 0 6845 12 51 1820 o o o ! 321 6 7} 141 0 H 0 0 0 1116 8 6 .000 1572 10 9 196 10 7J 386 13 6 103 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 55 16 4} 70 6 10 32 4 5 20 14 0 0 0 852 4 91 1821 0 0 0 330 5 9 129 3 5} 0 0 0 1116 8 6 0 0 0 151 io m 263 12 3 556 6 7i 143 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 99* 6 3} 34 16 9} j 36 19 7 20 14 642 13 10 0 0 0 1822 254 5 21 0 0 0 147 12 11} 500 16 11 0 0 0 11 7 6 99 3 9 347 11 10 427 7 6 193 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 197 17 4} 37 16 3 35 11 91 20 1 4 1773 1 1 0 0 0 1823 349 5 4 342 7 9J 131 17 4 135 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 48 6 6i 475 7 3 590 12 6 61 7 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 155 10 7 28 6 5 64 14 6 20 1 4 1462 8 10 0 0 0 1824 283 13 10 344 19 2} 136 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 412 15 9 658 2 6 79 19 1 0 0 0 15 18 4} 173 6 8} 31 12 11 23 4 10 20 1 4 2072 19 1 0 0 0 1825 215 11 3 | j 248 15 6 136 16 11 566 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 17 2 436 4 4 624 15 0 54 8 4 0 0 0 29 11 6 179 17 3i 41 10 3 41 8 31 20 1 4 833 6 7 0 0 0 1826 79 1 3 I 360 19 If 154 11 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3336 11 li 502 18 0 < 576 14 9 52 1 10 0 0 0 17 6 0 163 7 5 23 18 6 19 18 9 20 1 4 0 0 0 31 12 91 1827 19 6 390 10 1 173 15 7} 0 0 0 i 0 0 0 0 0 0 263 5 10 528 9 5 549 0 8 59 4 9 0 0 0 30 15 0 184 4 8 54 6 2} 8 9 2 20 1 4 1545 18 41 0 0 0 1828 0 0 0 348 17 9 98 10 0 ooo! ! 0 0 0 0 0 0 ' 989 15 5 j 559 6 81 i 532 17 8 59 6 0 0 0 0 31 19 0 161 7 10 34 5 7i 18 19 10 i 18 10 7 937 6 2 0 0 0 1829 15 3 1 I 357 9 9} 205 9 9 3 3 0 10 10 0 38 15 0 0 0 0 506 9 11 | 546 9 10 73 19 6 0 0 0 17 16 6 143 1 31 32 18 8 18 1 2 18 10 7 2460 0 0 0 0 0 1830 48 12 2 i 442 9 4 157 3 91 912 13 1 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 4 1 1018 7 7 j 556 19 10 48 7 6 0 0 0 17 6 0 106 13 6 40 0 9} | 32 19 1 18 10 7 272 2 5 0 0 0 j 11831 2 9 1 j 381 7 5J 106 16 6 0 0 0 ! ! 0 0 0 0 0 0 1455 0 1 527 1 1} 1 278 14 11 25 10 0 0 0 0 27 6 0 103 1 5} 15 7 0 j 32 5 41 18 10 7 107 3 11 oool 1249 10 8;V j 7521 2 9J 3421 5 0} 5673 4 3 j j 3507 6 1 433 5 01 31079 15 in 8475 4 7 | 15737 16 3j 1498 15 91 1 2800 0 0 2 17 18 4} | 4252 5 9 1029 17 4} 1347 16 8 646 0 4 32363 3 0* 11192 19 6£ 1 1 I 1 \ i 11192 19 6§ 1 i i 21170 3 5i ' GENERAL NOTES. BALLAST.—At Belfast, 2v. per Ton; at Garmc^le, 2*. 6d.; Foreigners, one third additional; Ccllier3, one third less. PILOTAGE.—British or Irish Vessels into Garmoyle from sea, or vice versa, drawing 9 to 10 feet, Us. A±d.: 10 to 12 feet, 16v. 3d.; 12 to 14 feet, £1 2s. 9d.; 14 and ^ TONNAGE.—Foreign Vessels, 3d.; British and Irish 2d. per Ton: Colliers one third less. CHARGES. J upwards £2 5..-. Garmo>le to Belfast, and vice vers.t, 4 to 6 feet, 5s. bd ; G to 7 L^et, 8.. 8d., 7 to 8 feet, 10y. 1 Od.; 8 to 9 feet, 13v.; 9 *nd upwards, same rate s as to and from Garmoyle and Sea. * Thus marked, the return of vessels and tonnage is lost; but the amounts are calculated ty their proportion to the money received, and may be considered accurate for all practical I purposes. f Year 1798 a change in time of accounts takes place. This year extends to 25th March, 1799. From this tim i till 1800 jha accounts are furnished from 25th March to 25th March, in which ye ir the account is only for 9 months and 6 days, t Tin* only extends to six months of the year, the Act of 1785 having been repealed by an Act which received the Royal v Assent 23d of August, 1831. At tho same period, Gravii g Dock No. 2 was almost co.npkt.jd, abo a Steam Dredge, which together naarl^absorbed the balance remaining in the hands of tho Old Corporation. These sums appear as,payments in tha accounts under the Act of 1831.0t, The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port and Harbour of Belfast, CHARGE. BALLAST. PILOTAGE. GRAYING I 0 C K S. ADDITIONAL /1ADUAVT XI T T/1f\TOTHC! A ITIX DATE. TONNAGE FOR uiiJttiuvJ x La LilijXiSiohS AND QUAYAGE. STORAGE. INTEREST. TONNAGE. RECEIVED. PAID. IMPROVEMENTS. MOORINGS. FINES. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. NETT. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s, d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 5. i £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s, d. £ s d. £ 8. d. * 1831 63,546 455 13 8 473 0 8 220 9 10 252 10 10 909 6 6 534 9 10 374 16 8 101 9 7 127 15 ! 26 5 11$ 385 3 4 12 15 o 1 5 0 10 11 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 *1832 241,643 1723 19 7 1571 3 11 572 8 1 998 15 10 3498 12 8 1828 0 4 1670 12 4 535 14 11 377 1 5 158 13 5 1454 7 1 66 5 0 4 0 0 53 11 5± 6 15 0 0 0 0 *1833 266,014 1923 14 4 1747 16 6 752 0 10 995 15 8 3877 0 8 2222 4 4 1654 16 4 553 11 9 333 16 1 ) 219 14 11 114 1 2 77 4 0 5 7 0 65 14 4 to 0 0 5 15 9 1834 284,601 2037 17 9 2039 11 9 961 6 1 1078 5 8 4200 13 7 2471 10 0 1729 3 7 684 0 9 400 4 3 283 16 9 0 0 0 45 16 0 6 5 0 94 12 3 to 0 0 96 15 3 1835 290,769 2071 7 9 2335 3 5 1091 6 6i 1243 16 10J 4192 1 0 2476 14 10 1715 6 2 637 17 9 386 12 I 251 5 7 0 0 0 47 10 0 6 0 0 to 0 0 to 0 0 62 0 6 1836 309,256 2205 4 4 2987 14 2 1398 6 4 1589 7 10 4256 10 1 2461 0 2 1795 9 11 895 7 1 1297 13 3 384 6 7 0 0 0 38 0 0 15 0 0 to 0 0 to 0 0 223 3 3 1837 144,071 1099 1 1 1416 9 8 672 5 11 744 3 9 1961 12 11 1160 15 6 800 17 5 272 18 7 412 8 139 9 Hi 0 0 0 16 5 0 2 0 0 to 0 0 to 0 0 49 3 3 (l,599,900 11516 18 6 12571 0 1 | I 5668 3 7J 6902 16 5i | 22895 17 5 13154 15 0 9741 2 5 3681 0 5 j | 3335 12 913 10 8 1953 11 7 303 15 0 39 17 0 224 9 Oj 12 0 0 436 18 0 * An additional tonnage for Improvements directed by the act, levied in these years, but then givoi f The Quayage and Storage of those years has, by an error, been placed by the book-keeper to Ci >n up, no Improvements being proceeded with. edit of Graving Docks. They are only small sums. GENEKAL NOTES. * An additional tonnage for Improvements directed by the act, levied in these years, but then givoi f The Quayage and Storage of those years has, by an error, been placed by the book-keeper to Ci >n up, no Improvements being proceeded with. edit of Graving Docks. They are only small sums. FROB 1831 TO 1897. IN January, 1832, the Corporation forwarded to the Board of Public Works a copy of their Act, with a request to be informed what steps they should take to procure a loan of public money. On the 11th of same month, the Secretary to that Board furnished the necessary papers. On the 24th July of the same year, Mr. Halpin reported, by desire of the Board of Works, on Messrs. Walker and Burges's plan. This report was rather unfavourable. He objected to the estimate of Messrs. Walker and Burges as too low; and to their proposed open Channel, giving it as Ills opinion—" that a communication by Canal as proposed by Messrs. Telford and Rennie, would be more effectual |than that now chosen by the Corpora- tion of Belfast." j Under date 4th September, 1832, Messrs. Walker and Burges replied to the objections of Mr. Halpin. On the 15th October, 1832, Mr. Halpin sent in his reply to the Board of Works. A strong opposition now arose to the plans of the Corporation; and as they despaired of procuring money except through the Board of Works, the progress of Improvement was effet tually checked. On the 10th September, 1834, Mr. Woodhouse, at that time the resident engineer, was directed to report and make out a modified plan. He did so, and gave an estimate for a New Cut from Dunbar's Dock to the Mile Water Perch, amounting, property included, to . . . . £30,053 Os. 0d. He made a further report on the 22nd October, 1834. The objoct of Mr. Woodhouse's reports was to keep within £35,000—the largest sum the Board of Works would lend. On the 30th May, 1835, Mr. Cubitt reported by desire of the Board of Works j who state in their instruc- tions to him, " that, having refused to lend more than £35,000, and expressed their doubts as to the propriety of the plan of Messrs. Walker and Burges, Mr. Woodhouse had furnished a plan by which efficient benefit could be obtained by an expenditure of that sum, and which would form a part of a general plan of Improvement equally, on the best principle of operating, should additional funds become hereafter available. The result has been, generally speaking, a recommendation to carry into effect a portion of Mr. Walker's plan; and for this purpose a loan was applied for on the reduced scale: but before it was sanctioned by the Treasury, an application was made, by parties interested in another project,* to their Lordships to stay proceedings, and have a further report from an Engineer unconnected with the Country, to ascertain the most eligible plan for Improving the Harbour of Belfast. In consequence of this memorial, the Lords of the Treasury have delayed their sanction until another Engineer of experience shall have reported to the Board on the subject." The previous reports on the Harbour were at the same time sent to Mr. Cubitt. * Mr. Telford's.nnder the Act of 1831, from that date to 30th Jane, 1837,1st and 2d William IV. cap. 55. DISCHARGE. DATE. REPAIR OP LIGHTERS. PERCHES AND BUOYS. DREDGING. ENGINEERING.. PRINTING AND STATIONERY. IMPROVEMENTS. INCIDENTS. SALARIES. ANNUITIES. OFFICE EXPENSES. UTENSILS. RENT OF GROUND. INTEREST. HARBOUR POLICE. LAW COSTS. MOORINGS. SURPLUS. EXCESS, £ $. d. £ 8. d. £ s» a. £ 8. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ S. d. £ 5. d. Surplus certified by Impress Office, 31st December, 1830 .... Surplus on first part £ 19324 107 s. 9 3 d. n 11 * £ 5. d. *1831 179 16 n 18 16 5 177 11 395 16 4 1 12 6 16731 5 5f 17 4 9 283 14 11 40 10 0 50 0 7 3460 0 0 0 0 0 11 19 5 9 9 0 90 0 0 0 0 0 Handed over to New Corporation by Old.. 19431 13 5J 19996 2 n 1832 351 15 7 62 8 8 1200 15 575 12 3* 48 0 9 811 0 2 85 10 9J 602 3 6 48 9 0 175 9 1 0 0 0 18 10 7 - 11 14 5 27 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2118 3 7 0 0 0 1833 334 2 11 99 0 6 1324 15 500 0 0 45 14 4 432 3 9 95 12 10| 596 3 0 48 10 4 167 16 0* 0 0 0 18 10 7 0 0 0 26 15 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1372 18 6* 0 0 0 f 1834 319 15 3 173 4 5 1447 19 795 3 1 37 10 10 232 11 2 57 12 5 584 19 6 52 15 8 161 16 2 0 0 0 18 10 7 0 0 0 27 6 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 1262 7 0 0 0 f 1835 258 4 H 286 18 2 3184 17 120 0 0 41 1 8 237 2 0 286 2 6 554 6 8 56 1 8 177 5 o* 0 0 0 18 10 7 0 0 0 27 16 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 149 0 3 0 0 0 fl836 574 16 I 83 12 10 2027 16 3 40 0 0 29 19 3 62 6 7 34 17 11 541 16 8 55 10 10 232 11 11 0 0 0 18 10 7 0 0 0 27 6 0 154 2 1 114 17 3 1483 14 6 0 0 0 J1837 110 8 6 30 16 734 11 8 0 0 0 24 3 10J 31 1 H 50 8 6 278 13 10 23 17 6 93 9 0 0 0 18 10 7 0 0 0 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 .0 0 1162 5 0 0 0 2128 19 8 754 17 H 10098 6 o* 2427 11 H 228 3 2J 18537 10 6* 627 9 9 3441 18 I 325 15 0 1058 8 31 3460 0 0 111 3 6 } 23 13 10 ' 159 12 0 444 2 1 114 17 3 • 26980 19996 3 2 *2* n 19996 2 n i 6984 1 3 €v. GENERAL NOTES. * Accounts of new Graving Dock and a Steam Dredge charged in this year. See note on former account. f In these years Mr. Woodhouse held the appointment of Kesident Engineer. In 1833 Mr. Telford's costs were paid; in 1834, Mr. Walker's J A balance of £4 15s. 4c?. arising from disallowed accounts, &c. previous to 1833, is charged to Incidents in this half-year's account. ANALITSXS OF MR. CUBXTT'S REPORT, >1 Dated 30th May, 1835, and addressed to the Commissioners of Public Worlcs. | He considers the plans of Messrs. Rennie, Telford, and Walker, although possessing great individual J merits, too large and too extensive, particularly the two former—does not approve of borrowing £35,000 to carry 0 into effect a part of Mr. Walker's plan—recommends a modified plan, combining Mr. Walker's Cut with Docks in the present River. With this view he furnishes two plans:— No. 1 to cost .... £150,000. No. 2 to cost .... £125,000. In the year 1837, the Corporation was compelled (the time to which they were limited by the Act of 1831 having expired) to apply again to the Legislature for a new .Act; and on this occasion, to meet the views of con- flicting parties, and remove the objections of the Board of Works, they abandoned the | plan of Messrs. Walker and Burges, and determined to adopt the modified plan of Mr. Cubitt. The Bill foundedion this plan was opposed by the Earl of Belfast [now, in 1847, the Marquis of Donegall], oiVbehalf of himself and others, who had adopted the views of Messrs. Walker and Burges as the most judicious plan for the Improvement of Belfast, and who introduced a Bill in opposition to the Corporation Bill. The Corporation Bill passed Standing' Orders, after the discussion of sixty-two objections, but a sudden stop was put to it in consequence of Mr. Cubitt expressing a doubt as to the eligibility of his plan ; the result was that the Corporation abandoned Mr. Cubitt's plan, and substituted Mr. Walker's original one, on the recommenda- tion of a joint report of Mr. Walker and Mr. Cubitt—the Bill of the opposing parties being abandoned on paying them for their expenses a sum of £2,750. This application to Parliament resulted in the Act, 1st Victoria, chap. 76, which received the Royal assent 30th June, 1837; and the Corporation, under whose management the harbour now is, receives its authority therefrom. The following is a summary of the Works directed to be executed :— 1st. The making a new Channel for the River Lagan, from Dunbar's Dock to Thompson's Tower, thus cutting off the first bend, or that nearest the Town, of the River Lagan. 2nd. The purchase of the present Quays and Docks of the Town, which are prjvate property, either by bargain with the Owners or the valuation of a Sheriff's Jury, and widening and improving the same. 3rd. The continuation of the Straight Cut for the River, if deemed necessary, as Tar as deep water, thus cutting off the second bend of the River, and completing a straight Channel from the Town to Garmoyle. 4th. The other Works contemplated by the Act.9v. The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port and Harbour of Belfast, /charge. B A L L A S T.§ | P I L 0 T A GE. PILOTAGE ESTABLISHMENT. QUAYAGE. GRAYING DOCKS. PLANK AGE.** GARMOYLE LICENSES AND THTP,HTlfiT +4" POETESAGE.** CRANE AGE.** RENTAL.** STORAGE.** CARTAGE/* YEAR. 1 Url j • RATES ON GOODS. MOORINGS. PINES. JLil IXiilXlOX ■ 1 1 1 RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. | NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. i RECEIVED. PAD. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. | RECEIVED. PAID. NETT. RECEIVED. PAID. NETT, £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 5. d> £ s. d. £ s. dj £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ St d. £ 5. d. £ s. d. £ S. d. £ s. d* £ 5. d. £ 5. d. £ s. d. £ 5. d £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 5. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s, d, £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d* 1837 144,071 1099 1 1 1416 9 8 672 5 11 744 3 9 1961 12 11 1160 15 6 | 800 17 5 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 *000 0 0 0 0 0 0 || 0 0 0 272 18 7 412 8 6J 139 9 in § 0 0 0 ^ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 5 0 2 0 0 49 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1838 298,278 2485 13 0 2671 12 8 1129 12 4 1542 0 4 4092 19 5 2414 14 2 i 1 1678 5 3 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 65 2 2 468 10 1 305 15 8 ; 162 14 5 § 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 0 0 31 0 0 78 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £1839 354,542 2954 10 4 3380 6 4 j 1793 4 1 1587 2 3 4729 4 4 2740 6 7 1988 17 9 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 47 1 8 737 1 7 833 0 4 i 95 18 9 § 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 15 3 34 2 6 48 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1840 £61,473 3012 5 6 3031 3 4 1632 0 5 1399 2 11 4697 9 3 2712 17 8 1 1984 11 7 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 17 11 643 17 5 685 5 4 41 7 11 § 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 17 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1841 357,902 15882 14 2 2659 16 6 1191 8 4 1468 8 2 4728 6 0 2728 6 5 1999 19 7 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 17 6 784 0 2 730 19 7 50 0 7 4000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77 17 5 23 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1842 337,505 5624 0 6 2315 16 0 929 11 2 1386 4 10 * 4431 6 11 2546 .9 4 1884 17 7 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 677 10 3 130 5 3 547 5 0 721 5 10 563 1 6 158 4 4 3777 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 3 5 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 poo 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1843 363,038 6048 12 0 2259 6 6 996 6 4 1263 0 2 4742 7 10 2624 18 2 2117 9 8 172 9 6 895 17 10 723 8 4 3217 19 11J 930 16 9 2287 ,3 2J 631 15 4 548 13 5 ' 83 1 it 3999 0 11£ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 67 5 8 4 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 poo 1844 445,537 7388 19 2 2245 16 9 1013 2 0 1232 14 9 4542 4 5 2979 14 7 1562 9 10 599 7 5 673 0 2 73 12 9 i 3991 13 lOf 937 10 5 3054 3 5} 734 1-2 5J 632 19 1 101 13 4i 4597 8 8J 40 17 0 70 17 7 30 0 7 52 19 2J 7 3 6 0 0 0 ' 738 4 9J 275 6 7 462 8 2| 15 15 0 0 11 2 15 3 10 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1845 492,560 8125 4 5 1841 4 11 960 16 2 880 8 9 f 0 0 0 f 0 0 0 f 0 0 0 834 10 8 581 14 2 252 16 6 3585 0 10 1619 4 10 1965 16 0 807 5 5 643 9 8 ; 163 15 9 4959 9 3| 147 13 0 41 16 8 105 16 4 26 5 0^ 6 0 0 0 0 0 1138 3 8 714 2 2 424 I 6 176 10 5 0 8 8 176 1 9 375 0 0 j! 543 4 8 156 9 11 386 14 9 22 6 6 13 15 8 8 10 10 3,154,906 42621 0 2 21821 12 8 10318 6 9 11503 5 11 33925 U 1 19918 2 5 14017 8 8 1606 7 7 2150 12 2 252 16 6 11472 4 11 3617 17 3 8088 6 11 j 5801 6 10J 5358 13 1J 719 10 4J 21333 3 5J 188 10 0 112 14 3 105 16 4 361 11 0 157 18 6 176 7 9 1876 8 5% 989 8 9 886 9- 8J 192 5 5 0 19 10 191 5 7 375 0 0 543 4 8 156 9 11 386 14 9 j 22 6 6 13 15 8 8 10 10 aenjjeal notes. ^"0TE_The account 1837 is for a half-year only.-The tonnage of 1844 was about equal to that of Liverpool in 1812. The tonnage of 1846 was nearly that of Liverpool in 1813, 1814. I * To raise the moral condition of the Pilots and insure a better execution of their duty, the Corporation advanced, in 1842, the cost of a Pilot Smack of 40 tons, receiving from the pilots 20 per cent, on their wages, in payment and for maintenance. t In August, 1844, very large reductions in taxation were made; and, among others, profit on Pilotage was abolished. In 1842 the Corporation commenced purchasing the private Quays and Docks; so that Quayage, from that period, became an important item of Incomi t In this year the first section of the New Channel was commenced: it was opened for navigation,in January, 1841, and cost about £42,000. § In 1839, the price of sand ballast was reduced from 2 s. to Is. 4d. on vessels not colliers; and in 1844 it was reduced on all classes from Is. 4d. to lOd. < || The Book-keeper in this year has included Quayage with Receipts for Graving Docks. If Rates on goods levied in 1841, for the first time, also an additional tonnage of, 2d per ton—both by decision of Board of Works t> secure their loan. ** The accounts thus marked only commence with the purchases made, particularly Dunbar's Dock. ff Until the Corporation commenced extensive improvements and purchases, the balance of Interest was in their favour. Since tbn they have been liable to a considerable amount of interest on borrowed "money* This is brought forward as. a regular item of ordinary expeiditure for the first time in 1845. Although a surplus appears in this account as annually accruing on the ordinary business, it was absobed as quickly as formed, by the extraordinary expenditure for improvement and purchase, which is not included m this account. NOTE ON THE EFFECT BY THE REDUCTIONS IN TAXATION MADE FIRST OF AUGUST, 1844, CALCULATED ON THE BUSINESS OF 1845. In 1843 the tonnage of that year, ending 31st December, was 363,038 tons. - £ y ^ The levy by the Corporation ...............................................................,.............................................................................. 13 508 14 11" The levy by individual proprietors of quays, since purchased by Corporation ...................................................................................[ 5^015 5 6 Making altogether............... 18,521 19 51 The Corporation, as soon as they had the power, determined to reduce the charges to a fair amount; so that a similar tonnage would only yield 13,139 16 2 Being a reduction of............ 5,382 3 3£ This reduced scale was immediately acted upon, and the relief to the trade from 1st August up till 31st December, 1844, was, is compared with a continuance of previous rates, £3,265 13s. 3d. t t The year 1845 is the only one the entire of which has been under the reduced rates; and the expectations of compensation froir increased trade have been fully realized, the tonnage having risen from 363,038, in 1843, to 492,560 tons, in 1845; and the same scale of taxes which in 1843 wouli have yielded £13,131 165. 2d. having, in 1845, produced £17,829 15s. 10d. being only £692 8s. 7d. less than the taxation of 1843, although the remission has aforded a relief to the extent of £7,49°!, being only £692 3s. 7d. less than the taxation of 1843, and nearly equivalent to the increase made in 1841, by desire of the Board of Works.from 1st July, 1837, to 31st December, 1845. DISCHARGE. HARBOUR LIGHT.* . REPAIR OF LIGHTERS. « PERCHES AND BUOYS. DREDGING.f PRINTING AND STATIONERY. IMPROVEMENTS. INCIDENTS. SALARIES. ANNUITIES. OFFICE EXPENSES. RENT OF GROUND. § INTEREST. 1 j HARBOUR POLICE. LAW COSTS. MOORINGS. HARBOUR REPAIRS. SURPLUS. EXCESS. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.~ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 5. d, £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 6. I d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. Received from Old d. 3 £ s d. 0 0 0 110 8 6 30 16 °2 734 11 8 24 3 10J 31 1 H 55 3 10 292 6 10 23 17 6 93 9 18 10 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1157 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 186 2 10 78 15 3 1505 15 10 71 0 7 32 10 7 114 12 3 677 19 9 51 17 6 137 5 1 18 10 7 0 0 0 74 19 2 2486 13 8 39 10 6 0 0 0 599 17 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 213 1 5 1499 16 8 91 8 1 17 15 4 191 14 9 t 686 4 6 78 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 145 17 0 0 0 0 145 17 0 0 0 0 3661 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77 13 0 1308 3 3 38 3 3 120 1 10 127 3 6 1176 5 0 108 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 154 19 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3195 ] 2 0 0 0 0' 0 0 187 6 5 71 6 5 661 2 11 160 17 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1339 12 10 96 10 0 172 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 173 7 3 238 15 5 30 19 2 0 0 0 10431 13 7 " 0 0 ■rporation negociated a loan with the Board of Works, which was repaid with interest with interest. In 1841 they commenced borrowing on bonds secured on the fixed it of the Corporation. The various items under the head of purchases in the detailed irplus income. On the 31st December the balance in the hands of the treasurer was •I 4STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, AND REPORT OF THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1846.THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND 331\__BALANCE____31 st December, 1846. £' S. d. | : * £ S. d. ASSETS. To Quays, Docks, and Property, purchased from private individuals, under Act, 1837, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, viz.:— ........... County Antrim. ........... 147,359 6 8 County Down ............ 4,811 13 6 152,171 50,000 0 0 o To Graving Dock Property, valued at ....... n 0 To Machines and Implements, valued at ....... 7,078 10 6 To Harbour Light House, Cost .......... 1,300 0 0 To Improvements, viz.: First Section of New Channel (completed) ....... 42,351 15 9 Deepening the Harbour in front of the Town by means of the Steam Dredge, and depositing the material thus raised so as to form the " Queen's Quay" on the County Down side of the River, also J. Little & Son's contract for constructing the front of Wharf 27,542 14 2 Improvement and Permanent Repair of Dunbar's Dock 9,871 15 8 Constructing Timber Ponds • 1,310 6 7 New Works, Third Division, Just Commenced ....... 1 4 0 Resident Engineer's Salary, Two Years ........ 1,000 0 0 82,077 16 2 To Available Funds and Debts Due to the Corporation, viz.:— In Hands of Treasurer 19,531 10 8 Various small Floating Balances ......... 506 8 11 20,037 19 7 The foregoing statement examined by me, which I have found to agree with the Books and Vouchers of the Corporation, and all is perfectly correct. £ 312,665 6 5 • WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor. WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor.IMPROVING THE PORT _CONTRA.. AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. _Cr. DEBTS By Bonds Issued at 5 per cent, per annum, Interest. 133,720 27,150 By Bonds Issued at 4 per cent, per annum, Interest 36,130 By Unfunded Debt at 5 per cent, per annum, Interest 197,000 603 Interest on New Loans to 31st December, 1846 . 197,603 By Town Council, apparent Balance Due them 1,194 198,798 Total Debts due by the Corporation 113,866 By Estate of the Corporation, being the Surplus Assets 312,665 Belfast, 3lsi December* 1846. EDMUND GETTY, ballast master2 Br. THE TEAR ENDING THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND CHARGE. To Amount of Nett Proceeds from the Ordinary Sources of Income, viz.:— Received for Rates on Goods, levied agreeably to Schedule B, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, sec. 106. N. B. This is only half the Rate authorized by the Schedule ..... Received for Tonnage Duty, viz:— Irish Sailing Coasters, 11,663 Tons, at 2d, Cross Channel 205,870 Foreign........ 43,923 Steamers...... 282,406 -532,199 Tons, at 4d. (4d. short received) . . . . . 4,168 Vessels............ 543,862 Tons........ N.B. The Rate authorized by the Act, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, and sec. 100, is Is. per ton on Vessels from Foreign Parts, and 9d. per ton on all other Vessels. Received for Quayage, besides Wintering Ships, &c. ....... Less—Expenses, including Wages, Repairs, Police Rate, &c. . . . N. B. The Rate authorized by the Act, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, sec. 105, is 6d. per ton on all Vessels, besides 6d. per ton on the Goods; but the Rate actually levied is only 1 \d. per ton on Steamers and Coasters, and 3d. per ton on Vessels from Foreign Parts. Received for Stone and Sand Ballast delivered to Vessels, viz.:— Sand Ballast delivered from Lighters, at 106?. per Ton . . 48,251 Tons, £2,010 9 2 ,, ,, ,, Wharf, at Is. per Ton . . 1,194 „ 59 14 0 Stones from Wharf, at 2s. 6d. per Ton .... 942 ,, 117 15 0 Sundries ....... --0 16 8 50,387 Tons,-- DEDUCT. Stones Purchased ....... 822 Tons, £ 84 17 6 Cost of Sand, including 3\d. per Ton for raising . . . 48,819 „ 771 3 10 Repairs of Lighters and other outgoings .... 238 18 3 49,641 Tons,-- Forward ....... 97 8,869 3,861 2,017 s, I d. 19 10 12 15 2,188 1,094 8 7 14 10 19 5,661 8,967 1,843 £ 1,093 17,56631st December, 1846. IMPROVING THE POET AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. 2 Cr. DISCHARGE. £ s. d. < ! £ s. d. By Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation, viz.: , Paid for working and maintaining Steam Dredge, Barges, and Utensils, employed in deepening and cleaning the Harbour . . . . . ; . . . 3,195 2 Less—Carried to New Works, Second Division ..... 1,586 9 1 1,609 1 10 1 Paid Salaries:— Edmund Getty, Ballast-Master . . . , . 300 0 0 | Thomas Price, Deputy Ballast-Master ...... 105 0 0 "William E. Young, Clerk 80 0 0 John Hartley, Auditor for 1845 ....... 10 10 0 William M'Donald, Assistant Clerk (9 months) . 15 0 0' George M'Clean, „ „ (6 months) ..... 25 0 0 William Hartley, Auditor ...... 40 0 0 George M'Kibbin, Harbour, Pilot, and Dock-Master .... 125 0 0 Arthur Kussell, Harbour-Master ........ 100 0 0 John Faloon, „ ,, . ...... 80 0 0 Alexander Craig, Assistant Harbour-Master ...... 52 0 0 i Samuel Shaw, Clerk of Delivery ....... N.B. The Resident Engineer's Salary (£500) does not come under the head of "Maintenance and Preservation," being charged to 44 Improvements," see folio 4; and William Thompson's Salary (<£180) is included in the deduction from "Porterage, &c. at Dunbar's Dock," per. Contra, folio 3. Paid Annuities :— 80 0 0 1,012 10 0 William Savage, Superannuated Harbour-Master . 50 0 0 Thomas Acheson, Superannuated Pilot . < . . . . . 6 0 0 Margaret Benson, Pilot's Widow . . . . . . . 10 3 10 Elizabeth M'Greevy, „ . . . . 10 0 0 Mary Graham, 4 0 0 Esther Patterson, „ „ . . . . . . . 4 0 0 Ann Stafford ,, „ , . . . . . . 4 0 0 Mary Armstrong „ „ 4 0 0 92 3 10 Paid Expenses connected with keeping up Perches, Buoys, and Beacons, in the Channel. 75 8 5 Fortcard . . . . £ 2,789 12 4 i 3 THE TEAR ENDING 01Y THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND £ s. d. | CHARGE. To Amount of Nett Proceeds from the Ordinary Sources of Income brought forward • • Received, on account of Graving Docks ...... • • 934 14 10 Less—Expenses of Pumping, Repairs, Fuel, and Wages .... • . 698 6 9 Received, for the use of Gangway Planks ...... • • 167 11 0 Less—Wages and other expenses . . . • • 97 12 11 Received for Sundries at Dunbar's Dock, per William Thompson, viz. Porterage on Timber, Deals, and Staves, landed, piled, and rafted, into Timber Ponds £955 3 7 Less—Expenses and other deductions . , . . . . 644 10 7 310 13 0 Craneage .......... 108 11 8 Less—Expenses . . . . . . 5 18 4 102 4 Storage . . . . . . .... 632 1 2 Less—Expenses and other deductions ...... 80 14 6 551 6 8 Cartage .......... 30 8 0 Less—Expenses and other deductions ...... 21 18 2 8 9 10 DEDUCT. 973 2 10 Sundry expenses which apply equally to Porterage, Craneage, Storage, and Cartage, including William Thompson's Salary (£180) ..... 218 9 7 Deficit on Dogs and Chains, viz.:—Paid £11 35. 9c?.; Received £6 5s. Id. 4 18 8 223 8 3 Received for Porterage and Storage at Quays, not including Dunbar's Dock • • Rents out of Tenements purchased, accrued this year . . . • . 432 5 0 Less—Poor Rates allowed ..... • • 4 4 6 Received on account of Pilotage Establishment ..... . . 860 3 5 Less—Expenses . . . • • • 698 0 9 Note.—This surplus goes towards defraying the cost of the large Smack which was purchased the Pilots. for the use of Total Nett Proceeds of Ordinary Income ...... • • Forward .... £ 17,566 19,213 19,213 £ 17,566 236 69 749 1 428 162 19,213 19,21331st December, 1846. IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. 3 d. DISCHARGE. By Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation brought forward . Paid Expenses connected with keeping up the Mooring Buoys . Less—Received from Vessels . 34 6 9 19 3 6 Paid Stationery, Printing, and Advertising ........ Paid for Incidental Expenses, including Office Rent and Taxes, Coals, Deputation, Travelling and Election Expenses, also Contingencies ..... 346 8 3 Less—Received for Stamps . . . . . . . 10 1 1 Paid Harbour Police, Wages and Clothing of six Constables . . . . Paid Wages, Oil, and other outgoings connected with keeping up the Harbour Light House . , Paid Harbour Repairs . . . . . . . . . , Total Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation . ... . . By Interest on Bonds . . ... . . . . 8,105 14 11 Less—Received from Treasurer and others ..... 150 6 6 Total Amount of Ordinary Expenditure . Forward. 2,789 15 141 12 3 2 336 213 262 104 7 17 12 7 2 6 3 8 3,863 7,955 11,818 11,8184 Dr. THE TEAR ENDING THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND CHARGE. To Amount brought forward (Total Nett Proceeds of Ordinary Income) .... OTHER RECEIPTS, &c. To Amount Received on Loan, at 5 per cent, per annum, in the year ending this date, viz.:— Bonds Issued . Unfunded Debt . . . Interest due on same till 31st December, 1846 ....... To Amount received from Thomas Hanlon, being the sum that was due by him for Rent till 1st Nov. 1845 . To Police Rate, deducted from Quayage, at folio 2, but still unsettled . To William Thompson, for Balance appearing due, for Porterage, Storage, &c. at Dunbar s Dock, per last Annual Statement, but since accounted for ....... To Samuel Boyd & Co. received Balance of their Account ...... To Balance op Account, dated 31st December, 1845 ... RESULT. Nett Proceeds from the Ordinary Sources of Income, see folio 3, Dr. side ..... DEDUCT. Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation, see folio 3, Cr. side . . . £3,863 2 5 Interest on Bonds, less received from Treasurer ...... 7,955 8 5 Surplus on the ordinary operations of the Year The foregoing statement examined by me, v:Mch I have found to the Corporation, and all is perfectly correct. agree with the BooJcs and Vouchers of WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor. £ s. d. i £ 19,213 s. 17 | d. 10 5,400 0 0 36,130 0 0 41,530 603 0 14 0 11 42,133 10 14 0 11 0 872 8 0 212 10 3 0 18 11 62,443 6,138 9 17 11 11 19,213 17 10 11,818 10 10 7,395 7 0 £ 68,582 10 7 1 agree with the BooJcs and Vouchers of31st December, 184$. IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. 4 €v. £ s. d. £ s. d. DISCHARGE. By Amount brought forward (Total Amount of Ordinary Expenditure) ..... 11,818 10 10 OTHER PAYMENTS, &c. By Improvements in Progress, viz.: Paid Resident Engineer's Salary ......... 500 0 0 Paid on account of New Works, Second Division:—deepening the Harbour in front of the Town by means of the, Steam Dredge, aud depositing the material thus raised so as to form the " Queen's Quay" on the County Down side of the River ...... 7,617 0 11 Paid on account of Improvement and Permanent Repair of Dunbar's Dock .... 9,820 11 10 Paid on account of New Timber Ponds ........ 1,310 6 7 Paid on account of New Works, Third Division . . . , . 1 4 0 Total Sum expended on Improvements this year « • 19,249 3 4 By Quays, Docks, and Property, purchased this year from private individuals under the provisions of the Act, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, viz.:— County Antrim, Mr. Dunbar's ground, &c. ........ 16,602 16 4 County Down, Law Costs ......... 100 0 0 16,702 497 16 14 By Richard Davison, paid him for Law Costs, &c. ....... 4 0 By Machines and Implements, paid for two Ballast Lighters ...... 490 0 0 By Harbour Bill, 1847, preliminary costs . . . . . . . . 205 5 0 By Pilotage, appearing due by Vessels in 1846 • . 0 2 8 By Rents outstanding; but included in £428 0$. 6d. per Contra ...... 87 5 0 By Balance, in hands of G. T. Mitchell, Treasurer ....... 49,050 19,531 17 10 2 8 £ 68,582 7 10 EDMUND GEr rcx ba LLAS >T-MASTER. REPORT. IN publishing the Annual Statement of Accounts of the trust placed in their hands, the Corporation for pre- serving and improving the Port and Harbour of Belfast, deem it desirable to make some remarks on the transactions of the last few years. By the Act, 1st Victoria, cap. 77, an order of works and application of funds was prescribed to the Corporation, by which their progress was greatly retarded, and the cost of the property to be purchased very materially enhanced. Thus, the formation of the New Cut or Channel was made imperative, previous to proceeding to carry out the further objects of that Act; and that being accomplished, the purchase and payment for all the Quays from the Long Bridge down was directed, and the Corporation strictly prohibited, until they had so done, from applying any funds they might possess or obtain "to erect or make any new Quay or Quays, Dock or Docks, or to take or purchase any land for that purpose, or to prejudice or affect the existing quays, or any one or more of them." These difficulties being surmounted, the New Channel completed, the entire of the Antrim Quays pur- chased and paid for, the Corporation, on obtaining possession of the last in 1844, was at length at liberty to provide farther accommodation for the trade by the erection of new Quays. This they immediately proceeded to do. In Antrim, 1,375 feet have been built, of which 713 are increase; the remainder, restoration of a dilapidated portion. In Down, an entirely new Quay, 2,500 feet in length, has been constructed; upon it sheds 300 feet in length are in progress of erection. The River in front has been widened and deepened. The completion of these new Quays will enable the Corporation to proceed forthwith in the reconstruction of the Antrim Quays—a work much desired, but obviously wholly impossible until a place could be provided to accommodate the Shipping, during the period which the present Quays must necessarily be withdrawn from their occupation. The possession of the entire of the Quays enabled the Corporation to adopt such regulations and charges regarding them as they might deem most conducive to the general interest. Believing that the scale of charge for Quayage, and other taxation of the Port, and the effect of the mode of levy, were seriously impeding the extension of the trade, it was determined to enter upon a general revision with a view to extensive reduction. The levy of a large surplus income, in the hope that its accumulation might defray the cost of future extensive works, seemed to them more likely to lead to present improvident and desultory expenditure, than to realize such expectation; that consequently the advantages being not only entirely prospective, but uncertain whether or when they might be available, did not warrant continuing to burthen the existing trade to an extent so very far beyond the accommodation afforded. In accordance with these views, a new scale of charge was adopted; and having been some time previously under consideration, it came into operation fourteen days after obtaining possession of the Quays. Calculated on the rate of charge and extent of Trade and Tonnage of 1843, those reductions amounted to £5,381 16s. 2d.2 The objects selected were:— Ballast,—An expense occasioned by absence of earning, and particularly affecting vessels engaged in the Coal Trade, was reduced from 16c?. to 10—„ 1207 14 11 DEDUCT. Stones Purchased ...... 1877 Tons, £211 01] Cost of Sand, including 3jd. per Ton for raising . . 24668 " 384 2 0 Repairs of Lighters and other outgoings . . . . ... 119124 714 15 3 492 19 8 Forward ..... ✓ £ 9906 19 0June 30, 1847. IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. 2 Cr. DISCHARGE. £ S. d. £ S. d. By Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation, viz.: Paid for working and maintaining Steam Dredge, Barges, and Utensils, employed in ^ deepening and cleaning the Harbour . * . f . . § 2317 1 10 Less—Carried to New Works, Second Division . 1567 1 10 750 0 o \9 Paid Salaries :— Edmund Getty, Ballast-Master half-year 150 0 0 Thomas Price, Deputy Ballast-Master do. . . • 52 10 0 William E. Young, Clerk . do. 60 0 0 William M'Donald, Assistant Clerk . do. 10 0 0 George M'Clean " " • . do. 30 0 0 William Hartley, Auditor .... do. . • . 20 0 0 George M'Kibbin, Harbour, Pilot, and Dock-master . do. 62 10 0 Arthur Russell, Harbour-Master do. 50 0 0 John Faloon, " " • . do. 40 0 0 Alexander Craig, Assistant Harbour-Master do. • . • 26 0 0 Samuel Shaw, Clerk of Delivery . do. 37 10 0 538 10 0 N B The Resident Engineer's Salary for six months (£250) does not come under the head of " Maintenance and Preservation," being charged to 44 Improvements," see folio 4; and William Thompson's half-year's Salary (£90) is included in the deduction from " Porterage, &c„ at Dunbar's Dock," per Contra, folio 3. 1 Paid Annuities :— William Savage, Superannuated Harbour-Master half-year 25 0 0 Thomas Acheson, Superannuated Pilot do. 3 0 0 Margaret Benson, Pilot's Widow . do. 5 0 0 Elizabeth M'Greevy, " . do. 5 0 6 Mary Graham, " " • do. • • • 2 0 0 Esther Patterson, " " do. • • • 2 0 0 Ann Stafford, " " • do. ... 2 0 0 Mary Armstrong, " " do. 2 0 0 46 53 0 18 0 1 Paid Expenses connected with keeping up Perches, Buoys, and Beacons, in the Channel. Forward . . £ 1388 -- 8 13 Hit. HALF-YEAR ENDING .THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND CHARGE. To Amount of Nett Proceeds from the Ordinary Sources of Income brought forward Received, on account of Graving Docks . Less—Expenses of Pumping, Repairs, Fuel, and Wages Received for Licenses and Fines Received for Sundries at Dunbar's Dock, per William Thompson, viz.:— Porterage on Timber, Deals, and Staves, landed, piled, and rafted into Timber Ponds £206 9 3 Less—-Expenses and other deductions . • . . . . 147 11 6 Craneage ............ Storage * . . . . * • - ^ 217 9 8 Less—Expenses and other deductions . . . . . . 26 17 6 Cartage . . . • . . • • - 3 13 6 Less—Expenses and other deductions . . . . . - 2 7 10 DEDUCT. Sundry expenses which apply equally to Porterage, Craneage, Storage, and Cartage, including William Thompson's half-year's Salary (£90). . * - 214 9 4 Deficit on Dogs and Chains, viz.:—Paid £32 8s. 6d.; Received £6 10s. lOd. * 25 17 8 Rents out of Tenements purchased, accrued in half year ending 1st May, 1847 Received on account of Pilotage Establishment ...... Less-—Expenses Note._This surplus goes towards defraying the cost of the large Smack which was purchased for the use of the Pilots. Total Nett Proceeds of Ordinary Income Forward ..... 1 £ s. d. £ 9906 s. 19 d. 0 639 11 7 378 4 3 261 7 4 0 15 0 58 17 9 86 9 6 190 12 2 1 5 8 337 5 1 I 240 7 0 96 18 1 368 16 4 377 14 9 316 1 9 61 13 0 10696 8 9 £! 10696 8 9Jane 30, 1847. IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR Of BELFAST. 3 DISCHARGE. £ s. d. £ s. d. By Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation brought forward . . 1388 8 l Paid Expenses connected with keeping up the Mooring Buoys . . . £19 4 2 Less—"Received from Vessels . . . . . . .61811 12 5 3 Paid Stationery, Printing and Advertising . 112 14 7 Paid for Incidental Expenses, including Office Rent and Taxes, Coals, Deputation, 1 [-240 9 6 Travelling and Election Expenses, also Contingencies . . ) Less—Received for Stamps . . - . • . . .493 236 0 3 Paid Harbour Police, Wages and Clothing of Six Constables ..... 93 15 1 Paid Wages, Oil, and other outgoings connected with keeping up the Harbour Lighthouse 101 2 0 Paid Lighting Channel Beacons . . . . . • • . 45 0 0 Paid Harbour Repairs .......... 288 12 7 Wear and Tear of Machines and Implements—say 5 per Cent, on value (See contra, fol. 4,) 523 16 6 Total Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation. 2801 14 4 By Interest on Bonds and Unfunded Debt ..... 4157 8 6 Less—^Interest received from Treasurer and others . . . . 50 6 9 4107 1 9 By Deficit on Plankage, viz.:— Paid for new Planks, Wages, &c. . . . . • • • 198 15 1 Less—Received from Vessels . . . . . • • . 103 13 0 95 1 2 n.b.—The Plankage account is deficient in this half-year, owing to a large number of new Planks having been purchased. By Deficit on Porterage at Quays (not Dunbar's) viz. Paid Expenses . • . • • • • • • 7106 Less—Received from Vessels . . . . • • • • 1161 5 14 5 Total Amount of Ordinary Expenditure .... 7009 12 7 Forward .... £ 7009 12 74 39*. HALF-YEAR ENDING .THE CORPORATION FOR PRESERVING AND CHARGE. £ s. d. £ S. d. To Amount brought forward (Total Nett Proceeds of Ordinary Income) 10696 8 9 OTHER RECEIPTS, &c. To Amount Received on Loan, at 5 per cent, per annum Interest, in the half-year ending this date, . 10992 0 2 To Amount received from O'Neill Bayley ........ 26 0 0 To Amount due Frederick Lewis, and charged to Patent Slip, &c., per contra 1375 16 4 To Pilotage due by Vessels 31st December, 1846, since received ..... 13 18 To Ditto, appearing due to Pilots on 30th June, 1847 ....... 20 15 6* To this Sum charged per contra, for Wear and Tear of Machines, &c., although not a bona fide expenditure 523 16 6 To Richard Davidson, for so much charged to Sundries, per contra, although not actually paid 448 19 8 24097 15 11 To Balance of Account, dated 31st December, 1846 19531 10 8 RESULT. Nett Proceeds from the Ordinary Sources of Income, see folio 3, Dr. side .... 10696 8 9 DEDUCT. Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation, see folio 3, Cr. side . . . £2801 14 4 Deficit on Plankage . . • • • • • • 95 2 1 Ditto, on Porterage, &c., at Quays . . . - • • • 5 14 5 Interest on Bonds, less Interest received from Treasurer . . . • 4107 1 9 • 7009 12 *7 l Surplus on the ordinary operations of the half-year ....... 3686 16 2 The foregoing statement examined by me, which I have found to agree with the Boohs and Vouchers £ 43629 6 7 of the Corporation, and all is perfectly correct. j * r j v WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor. Jnne 30, 1847. IMPROVING THE PORT AND HARBOUR OF BELFAST. 4 €t. DISCHARGE. £ $. d. £ s. d. By Amount brought forward (Total amount of Ordinary Expenditure) .... 7009 12 7 OTHER PAYMENTS, &c. By Improvements in Progress, viz. : Paid Resident Engineer's Salary ........ 250 0 0 Paid on account of New Works, Second Division:—deepening the Harbour in front of the] Town by means of the Steam Dredge, depositing the material thus raised so as to form I the " Queen's Quay" on the County Down side of the River, and new Landing Shed, i > 1 5296 5 7 £2186 2 10 per contract ....... J i Paid on account of Improvement and Permanent Repair of Dunbar's Dock . . j 1189 4 3 Paid on account of New Timber Ponds ....... 567 13 9 Paid on account of Patent Slip .... . 1880 9 4 Paid on account of New Works, Third Division ...... 3 12 10 Total Sum expended on Improvements this half-year ..... By Quays, Docks, and Property, purchased this half-year from private individuals under the provi- 9187 5 q V sions of the Act, 1st Victoria, cap. 76, viz.:— County Antrim, Law Costs ..... ... 387 5 11 County Down, Law Costs ........ 14 10 1 i 401 4720 16 0 o * By Payments on account Contracts—C. G-regg, £3,000—Coates and Young, £1,720 i i 0 By Interest due sundries, on 31st Dec., 1846, and paid since ..... 445 3 8 By Machines and Implements, 18 new Scows, &c. ...... 3397 18 8 By Harbour Bill, 1847, preliminary costs . ..... 1046 6 0 By Burk Pritt, Venables and Co., due by them .....", 124 10 6 By Rents outstanding; but included in £368 16 4. per Contra 351 6 4 By Balance, in hands of G. T. Mitchell, Treasurer ..... 16370 5 11 26683 19 6 Ditto in cash . ......... 575 1 2 16945 7 1 Belfast, 30^ June, 1847. EDMUND GETTY, ballast-master. £( 43629 6 7STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, FOB THE HALF-YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1847.-1 Account of aitii ^xpenbituce of Sutttfi THE HALF-TEAR ENDOW RECEIPTS. £ S. d. £ s. d. To Rates on Goods— . ....... 3111 5 4 To Tonnage Dues :— Irish Sailing Coasters, 5320 Tons, at 2d. ...... 44 6 8 Across Channel .... 97770 " 4d. 1629 10 0 1973 8 8 Foreign Trade..... 44730 " 4d. 745 10 0 212*3 Vessels .... 2fifi22fi Tons 4392 15 4 To Ballast Sand....... 29031 Tons, at lOd. 1209 12 6 32 11 0 Stone...... 473 " 2s. 6d.; extras, lis. 7^d. .... l 59 14 H 30155 Tons ...*••• 1301 17 7* To Quayage on Vessels—3d. on Foreign, l^d. on all others ...... j 2021 1 11 Wintering Ships ......... 31 4 6 * No charge leyied on Goods. 2052 447 6 < To Graving Docks . . . . 11 u 6 To Storage, Porterage, and Craneage of Timber, &c., at Dunbar's Dock, yielding gross 1035 14 1 Do. do. do. do. at Quays «... 0 12 6 To Pilot Boat Establishment—being the contribution of the Pilots to its support 357 11 6 To Gangway Planks . . . . . . . . • . 86 18 0 To Rents, Tenements, due 1st November, 1847 269 5 0 Forward to next vaae..........,.......... £ 13055 17 4 tefeirtr trota* tfjc 3SeIfa0t ^SaviiQur &ct, t8£7, for 81st December, 1847. EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. £ S. d. By General Expenses of Maintenance and Preservation, working and maintaining Dredges, Barges, and Utensils .......... 750 0 0 By Cost Stone Ballast .......... 89 2 4 " Raising Sand Ballast, Repairs of Lighters, &c. 614 11 4 703 13 8 By Porterage, &c., at Dunbar's Dock, for Salaries, Labour, and Expenses 511 18 5 By Pilot Boat Establishment, for Expenses . . . . . . 326 6 0 By Gangway Planks, for Wages and other Expenses ...... 21 13 3 By Poor Rates, allowed on Rents . . . ...... i 18 8 9 By Sundry Repairs connected with Harbour ....... 182 3 10 By Police Tax for Quays, One Year ......... 520 14 6 By Wages and Repairs at do. 62 13 6 583 8 0 By Graving Docks—Fuel, Pumping, Repairs, &c. ...... 379 16 4 By Channel Buoys ........... 91 3 8 By Mooring Buoys 10 11 8 101 15 4 By Lighting Channel Beacons 71 16 11 By Stationery, Printing, Advertising, &c. . . . 116 8 0 By Incidental Expenses, Office Rent, Taxes, Coals, Insurance, &c. 144 19 7 By Harbour Police, and Clothing ......... 186 5 8 By Harbour Light-house—Oil, Wages . . . . . 67 10 11 1 Forward to next paqe..................... £ 4166 A 8 1 Continuation of Account of Receipt antr which I have found to agree with the Boohs and Vouchers of the Commissioners, and all is perfectly correct. WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor to the commissioners. £ 41689 7 7ifclfast sHartaut Commission^*, unirer iiarfiotu: &ct, t8ft7, 3 THE HALF-TEAK ENDING 31st December, 1847. EXPENDITURE. ; £ s. d. £ S. d. By Expenses deputations promoting Bill, 1847, in London ...... 204 17 3 Paid Richard Davison costs due 30th June, 1847 ....... 248 19 8 F. Lewis, due for timber for Patent Slip ........ 137 5 16 4 Town Council, balance of account ........ 377 7 6 Pilots'balance, 30th June, 1847 . • . . . 20 15 6J Pilotage due by Vessels, this date ........ 9 13 32 2237 9 7 Paid on account, New Works : Queen's Quay ........... 2570 19 6 Patent Slip ........... 5001 11 0 Dunbar's Dock . . 100 12 10 New Timber Ponds ..... ..... 3 3 4 Additional payments, contract New Antrim Quay ....... 9700 0 0 Do., 2nd Section, New Channel ...... 8000 0 0 New Sheds, Antrim, on account 450 0 0 Balance of cost, New Steam Dredge ........ 3720 15 9 Engineer and Assistants .......... 377 17 8 Stamps for Bonds .......... 335 0 0 30260 0 1 By Rents outstanding, credited in account ........ 270 0 0 By Interest do., " ........ 58 1 1 328 1 1 32825 10 9 By Balance in hands of Treasurer to New Account ....... Belfast9 31*$ Dec.y 1847. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary 8863 16 10 £ 41689 7 739r.. .THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS. BEING A STATEMENT OF DEBTS AND ASSETS, DEBTS. £ s. d. £ S. d. To Bond Loans, at 5 per cent - . ....... 197100 0 0 To Bond Loans, at 4 per cent. ......... 27150 0 0 • To Unfunded Loans, at 5 per cent., for which Bonds have not been yet executed 3500 0 0 227750 0 0 To Interest on Unfunded Loans . . . . 117 14 6 To Dorrington and Co. due them . . . . . . . 24 0 0 To Pritt, Venables and Co. do. ........ 588 16 9 To Richard Davison and Co. do. ....... 1002 2 10 To Edmund Getty • due him ........ 64 1 3 To Town Council, due for One Year's Police Rate ... ... 520 14 6 2317 9 10 230067 9 10 To Balance, being Surplus Assets in favour of Commissioners . ... 122386 1 5 6* The foregoing Statement examined by me> which I have found to agree with the books and vouchers of the Commissioners, and all is perfectly correct. WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor to the commissioners. i1 £! 352453 15 1 -BALANCE SHEET._ ENDING 31st December, 1847. 4 ASSETS. £ s. d. £ S. d. By Graving Dock Property, and adjoining Lands and Premises, valued at . • • 50000 0 0 By Light House • Cost .♦•••••• 1300 0 0 By Quays, Docks, and other Properties, purchased from various individuals . 152572 16 2 By Extension, &c., Dunbar's Dock . • Cost ...... 11161 12 9 By Queen's Quay . . • • . do. . • ♦ 36136 15 9 By New Channel and Island—being the sum expended in the formation thereof • • • 42351 15 9 By Timber Pond, Island » . • Cost ...... 1881 3 8 By Steam Dredges, Machines, Scows, &c., per schedule of valuation .... 14666 11 11 310070 16 o By Patent Slip . now in progress, being amount expended thereon . • . 6882 0 4 By Second Section New Channel . . • Do. ..... 8004 16 10 By New Quays, Antrim .... Do. ...... 12700 0 0 By Sheds at Dunbar's Dock .... Do. ..... 450 0 0 By New Works and Improvements, for Engineering and Stamps ...... 1962 17 8 By Costs Bill, 1847 ...•••••••• 3147 18 4 33147 13 2 By Bents not collected ....•••• • 303 15 0 By Pilotage on Vessels, not collected ....... 9 13 co By Interest to be repaid # • • • • • • • • • 58 1 1 371 q «7 By Cash in Hands of George T. Mitchell, Esq., Treasurer . . 8863 16 10 Belfast, 31$* December, 1847. ^TMirr^m nnmmTr o J EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. £ 352453 15 4* see next page. see next page.5 COMPARATIVE VIEW OP INCOME That would have resulted on the same extent of trade as that of the last six months, viz—1st, Charge authorised by Act 1837, and continued by that of 1847; 2d, Charge made in 1837; 3d, Increased Charge, 1841 till 1843; 4th, Present Charge:— Tonnage and Trade of Six Months, ending 31st December, 1847, would have yielded IV. i. At Maximum Rate authorised by Acts 1837 and 1847. ii. Would have produced, at rates charged in 1837. in. Would have produced, at rates charged in 1843. Produced during last half-year, at charge now levied. Tonnage ..... Is. per ton foreign trade, 9d. others 10542 12 0 2d. per ton on all 2218 110 4d. on all . . < . 4437 2 0 2d. Irish Coasters, 4d. others . . 4392 15 4 2s. Sand, 3s. Stone 3039 7 0 2055 15 1 16d. Sand, 2s. 6d. Stone . . . . , 2055 15 I lOd. Sand, 2s. 6d. Stone, supply free 1301 17 7 Quayage on Ship . . " Goods . 6d. per ton . . . 6655 13 0 $d. per ton . . . 6655 13 0 | By private owners 4181 10 6 { •• 4181 10 6 3d. foreign, lid. all others . . . 2021 1 11 No charge ... 000 Rates on Goods . . 6222 10 9 0 0 0 First time levied 3111 5 4* 3111 5 4* Pilotage ..... 3601 16 0 3601 16 0 .. 3601 16 0 * 1485 4 0 Graying Docks . . . 895 3 0 447 11 6 .. 447 11 6 .. 447 11 6 £37612 14 9 £12505 4 1 £17835 0 5^ £12759 15 8f * This yields no profit to the Trust, being either paid to or applied to provide accommodation for them. * This yields no profit to the Trust, being either paid to or applied to provide accommodation for them. By the preceding statement it appears that the increase of taxes made in 1841, was very nearly counterbalanced in amount by the subsequent changes and reductions in 1844. The increase.alluded to was, on Tonnage, 2d. per ton; which, on trade of last six months, 266,226 tons, would amount to..........£2218 11 0 Rates on Goods, levied for the first time . ........3111 5 4 The Subsequent reductions were— £5329 16 4 Quayage on Goods . . . . £2160 8 7 Ballast . . . . . 753 17 6 Pilotage ......2116 12 0 Tonnage, Irish Coasters . . . 44 6 8 5075 4 9 The Commissioners, hoping thereby to promote the extension of the trade, have been desirous to adopt a very mode- rate scale of charge; but, at the same time, have felt the importance of its being such as to leave a.surplus to be applied to the annual increase of the permanent property of the Trust. In 1837, the entire of this property (independent of the power to levy dues) consisted of the Graving Docks and adjoining premises, now valued at ......£50,000 0 0 At the close of 1847, the nett surplus value of the estate, over and above all debts and liabilities, is ............................122,386 5 6 Showing an actual increase of property, in 10 years, of . . . £72,386 5 6 A result the more satisfactory, as being concurrent with most extensive improvements, and a very moderate scale of taxation. The charges in 1837, before any improvements were made, would, on a trade of the same extent as that of the last six months, have yielded a revenue of £12,505 4s. Id.; the charges of the past half-year were £12,759 15s. 8d., and, being more fairly distributed, were much less burthensome to the public. It is farther satisfactory, to refer to the fact that the Commissioners have not deemed it necessary to levy more than one-third of the amount of dues authorised by Act of Parliament.You are requested to correct the following Errata in this report._Page 1, for £12,050, unissued bonds, read £21,450 lis. 5d. The addition of debt will then be £208,150 lis. 5d. The sum in the hands of Treasurer, £16,370 5s. lid., net £16,885 Is. 2d., as prrinted.—These errors only ap- pear in the report; but the account as published is correct.—E. G. REPORT. During the year just expired, the Act under which the affairs of the Harbour had been managed for the preceding ten years was repealed, and its place supplied by one containing additional powers, which received the Royal Assent on the 21st of June last. The Account for the year 1847 is, therefore, of necessity, divided into two portions—the first termi- nating on the 30th of June ; the other being for the last six months of the year, after the new Corporation had assumed the management. It is, in consequence, desirable to follow the same division in this Report, whereby an opportunity is afforded of briefly tracing the Improvement of the Harbour, and taking a review of its past progress and present position, so as to afford a convenient reference on future occasions. In the volume of Accounts published during last winter, and the Reports and Notes which accom- panied them, the financial progress of the Port was traced from the year 1785 to the 1st of January, 1847 ; the accounts of each Corporation being kept distinct, so as to show the Income and Expenditure, as well as the general progress under every separate Act. From these it will be seen that, with the exception of buoying the old circuitous channel, partially removing two fords which impeded the navigation, and deepen- ing portions of the Channel by dredging, the only permanent improvement for upwards of 50 years consisted in the construction of two Graving Docks—one opened in November, 1800, the other in March, 1826 ; and that it was only after the passing of the Act of 1837 that the Improvement of the Harbour was commenced, agreeably to the plans furnished by Messrs. Walker and Burges in 1830. It is unnecessary to recapitulate here the Improvements authorised under the Act recently repealed, or the powers granted by the Legislature for carrying them into effect. The late Corporation, on whom the entire weight was thrown of meeting the demand for improvements, which former delay had rendered most urgent, encountered many formidable obstacles to their progress, particularly in their efforts to obtain the necessary funds, which, after vain attempts to borrow from the Treasury and great capitalists, they succeeded in procuring at home, on their Bonds ; which, being issued for various amounts, to suit the convenience of lenders, afford the public (who have readily availed themselves of the security) a desirable means of invest- ment for moderate sums. The Debt thus created may be summed up as follows:— Bonds at. 5 per Cent.,........£159,550 Bonds at 4 per Cent., ........ 27,150 Sums at 5 per Cent., for which Bonds were not issued until after 1 ,Q 1st July, . . ......./ 1J'0S0 £198,750 Of which £16,885 Is. 2d. remained in the hands of the Treasurer on the 1st day of July, 1847, and was passed to the new Corporation.2 Under the Act of 1837 the following expenditure on Purchases and Improvements took place :— The first Section of the New Channel was completed, at an outlay, including purchases, of £42,351, 15s. 9d. ; and, in the course of its formation, the valuable property called Dargan's Island, containing 17 acres of solid land, was formed, without any additional expense. The old Quays of the town, on both sides of the river, together with Mr. Dunbar's Dock, Quays, Timber Pond, and 19 acres of ground, the site of future docks, were purchased at a sum, including contin- gent expenses, of £152,171, Os. 2d. A further sum of £9,871,15s. 8d. was expended on the improvement and permanent repair of Dunbar's Dock. On the County Down side of the river, a new Quay, 2,500 feet in length, was constructed—about 500 feet next the bridge being in front of the old quay purchased from Mr. Batt, and the remaining quantity on the slob taken by the finding of a Jury. This quay, known by the name of Queen's Quay, cost the former Corporation, including Little and Son's contract for constructing the front of the wharf, the sum of £31,167,12s. lid. A considerable portion along the river front was at the same time paved, and substantial Iron Palls, for the convenience of ships, placed at regular distances; a Landing Shed, 300 feet in length, erected at a cost of £2,186, 2s. 10d., is also included in the above sum. The construction of this quay afforded an advantageous place for the deposit of the material raised in deepening the river in front, and a quantity, of about 524,175 tons, was employed in this useful work, and lessened, to a considerable amount, the total expense of erection. A new Timber Pond, on an extensive scale, was also constructed on Dargan's Island, which cost £1,878, 0s. 4d. In addition to the works specified in the Act of 1837, a Light-hotise on Holy wood Bank "was erected, at a cost of £1,300. The above works, which may be all considered as completed, no contract for any part of them remaining unsettled, show that the labours of the late Corporation were not few nor unimportant. They may be summed up as follows: It may be added that, when the powers, rights, and privileges of the late Corporation merged in the new body of Commissioners, many highly-important improvements had been contracted for and commenced, which are still in progress. Mr. William Dargan, under a contract dated the 25th of January, 1847, was proceeding with the second section of the New Channel, which he is bound to have completed on or before the 5th of November, 1848, for the sum of £41,000. Mr. Cranston Gregg, under a contract dated 24th April, 1847, was proceeding with the reconstruction and extension of the Quays on the Antrim side of the river, commencing at the Queen's Bridge, and termi- nating at the Mile Water. He is bound to have this work completed within two years and a-half from the date of his agreement, for the sum of £44,390 ; on the 17th of June, 1847, he was paid £3,000 on account of this work, which left £41,390 to be provided by the present Commissioners. Messrs. Morton, of Leith, had entered into a Contract to provide the necessary machinery for a Patent Slip, now in progress on Dargan's Island, for the sum of £3,700. This Slip is to be capable of taking on Vessels of 1,000 tons. The foundations are now in preparation, under the superintendence of the Resident Engineer, at the expense of the Harbour Commissioners. £1,880,9s. 4d. stood to the debit of this account; and a sub-contract still exists with Messrs. F. & Wm. Lewis, dated 10th March, 1847, for Crown Memel Timber, required for piles and other purposes in this work, at 21d. per cubic foot, cash. Messrs. Coates & Young had contracted to furnish a Steam Dredge for £5,360, subject to certain con- tingent additions or deductions. They were paid £1,720 on account, which left £3,640 to be provided for by the present Commissioners. First Section of New Cut Quays, Docks, &c. purchased Extension and Repair of Dunbar's Dock Queen's Quay Timber Pond .... Light-house ..... £42,351 15 9 152,171 0 2 9,871 15 8 31,167 12 11 1,878 0 4 1,300 0 0 £238,740 4 103 Besides the above contracts for Improvements and Machinery, the new Commissioners will be called on to provide for the following Purchases of Property sanctioned by the late Corporation:— To the Cave Hill Railway Company, as the purchase of certain properties and rights demised to them by Mrs. Elizabeth May . . . . . . £4,000 To Mrs. Elizabeth May, the purchase-money of all her property between the Bally- mena Railway and the property of the Corporation ..... £9,500 (subject to a slight reduction or addition, according to what the actual quantity of land may appear to be, on an accurate survey.) By these purchases the Public have obtained the entire property in all the reclaimed land lying outside the Ballymena Railway, between the ground formerly purchased from Mr. Dunbar and the Mile-Water River, the Cave Hill Railway Company having surrendered their right of forming quays on that stream, and carrying their line through the lands in question. As the subject of taxation is always an important one, in such undertakings, it is gratifying to know that the Corporation have been enabled to carry into effect the purchases and improvements already detailed without any increase of the scale. It is true that, to meet the wishes of the Board of Works, an addi- tional tonnage of 2d. per ton was laid on Shipping, and a moiety of the duties on Goods levied; a reduction, however, of a sum nearly equivalent was made in 1845, with the advantage of leaving the income more equally apportioned on all classes of vessels than it had been formerly. Of the Report on this subject, dated the 6th of June, 1844, a full analysis has been given with the account of last year; the satisfactory results being, at the same time, pointed out, and experience continues to demonstrate the good effects on the re- venue from diminished charges. Indirect taxation has been abolished, and the Ship owner feels that he receives an equivalent for his payment in the accommodation afforded, and knows that he is not compelled to pay for improvements in progress from which he may never derive any advantage ; for it is a remarkable fact, that while an expenditure of upwards of £240,000 had been made under the Act of 1837, the taxation on Shipping was reduced below the rate charged previous to the commencement of improvements and pur- chases, all of which, with the exception of the New Cut, have been comprised in the brief space which has elapsed since 1844 ; as, by the Act of 1837, the Corporation was precluded from forming new quays or docks until after the purchase of the existing properties of this kind, which they were not in a position to effect before that time. Reference has already been made to the difficult position in which the late Corporation were placed, by having almost the entire weight of extensive improvements, which had been delayed from year to year, thrown upon them, to executc within a very limited period, and when properties proposed to be purchased had been very much enhanced in value. This was increased by the necessity which they believed to exist, of making accommodation precede taxation ; for it seemed to them unjust to tax a property so fluctuating and so little endurable as shipping, with the cost of prospective improvements. This consideration, to- gether with the necessity, on account of public convenience, of restoring1 the quays with as little delay as possible, induced the Corporation, after mature deliberation, to determine to substitute wood for stone along the river frontage, and so far interfere with the views of their Engineers, on grounds of economy. Before concluding the portion of this Report having reference to the former Corporation, and its pro- ceedings, it may be necessary to mention that, in October, 1845, a Parliamentary Commission, appointed to inquire into the state of the Tidal Harbours of Great Britain and Ireland, held a public meeting here, for the purpose of taking evidence, having been previously furnished, by order of the House of Commons, with the copies of Accounts, Reports of Engineers, and Plans, furnished by the Ballast Master, under the Speaker's order, some time previously. A list of 122 Queries was afterwards furnished to the Ballast Master, which, together with the replies of that officer and the Engineer, give an important statistical return of the existing state of the Port. A full report of the inquiry appeared in the local press ; and the report of the Commissioners, together with a statement furnished by the Corporation, is contained in the printed volume laid before Parliament. The following observations apply more particularly to the present Harbour Commissioners, and the results of the last year's proceedings: In the month of October, 1846, the Corporation considered it desirable to have the opinion of Messrs. Walker and Burges, the eminent engineers, under whose judicious advicc they had hitherto acted, with a view to extending the Dock accommodation of the Port; and Mr. Walker, in4 consequence of their request, after visiting the locality and consulting with the Members, gave in a report, wherein the formation of two Wet Docks below Dunbar's Dock was recommended, with gates of sufficient width to receive, if required, the largest steamers employed as Government Packets ; these docks, with the entrance basin, to occupy a space of about 22 acres, having timber-ponds and other conveniences attached. With a view to be in a position to carry out these plans, and make purchases of property which became desirable, it was found expedient to procure the new Act of Incorporation, under which the Harbour has been managed during the last six months. Before the Bill went into committee, an Admiralty Commissioner held an open court of inquiry in the Town Hall, where the inhabitants of Belfast were afforded an oppor- tunity of discussing the merits of the measure, and making their objections. A list of requirements was also furnished by the Commissioner to the Ballast Master and Engineer, who gave in written answers to the same. The report of the Commissioner being favourable, no opposition was given by the Admiralty. The Bill as originally framed was, however, considerably modified, in consequence of Parliament having passed several general Acts for the regulation of Public Corporations, which are embodied in the Belfast Harbour Act, its provisions being confined to matters specially applying to this Port. In some respects, the general Acts give a more popular character to such Corporations; they define the mode of election, and provide for the auditing of accounts, and having them deposited in certain public offices. By one provision it is enacted, that one-third of the Commissioners shall vacate annually; which rendered it convenient to add a member to the former number in the Belfast Act, so as to provide for five annual vacancies. Under the new Act, the Commissioners, in consequence of the increase of business, have found it necessary to meet Aveekly, instead of on the alternate weeks, as formerly; and, since coming into office, have held 25 meetings of Commissioners, and 35 meetings of Committees—in all, 60 meetings ; and, in addition to the works in progress have entered into other engagements, as follows :— With Mr. Cranston Gregg, for the extension of the large Culvert at the foot of High-Street, as well as of all the Sewers passing through the other Tidal Docks about to be filled up, and along the Quays to be extended, amounting to ........ . . . . £2,221 10 0 With Messrs. Smith and Boss, for the erection of Sheds at Dunbar's Dock and the new Quay, on the North side of the entrance . . £1874 0 0 Who have been paid ... 450 0 0 Leaving to be provided for . .-- • With Messrs. Samuel Boyd and Co., for Mooring Posts and Brackets for Patent Slip, at a fixed price, per piece . . . , With Messrs. M'Millan and Son, Dumbarton, for six new Mud Barges, . With Messrs. Coates and Young, for a new Boiler for Dock Engine, With Messrs. Robert Barclay and Co., for a Model Passenger Boat for conveying Passengers from one Quay to another, ....... With Mr. John Newman, of London, for a Tide Guage, in conformity with a clause in the present Act, ... ...... 1424 0 0 603 15 0 1050 0 0 146 15 0 20 0 0 40 0 0 Amount of new Contracts, . . £5,506 0 0 The following purchases have been made, and have to be provided for by the new body of Commis- sioners, rendered necessary in consequence of the extension of the Antrim Quays :— From Mr. Alexander M'Laine, the power of changing his Launching Slip, with a portion of his frontage,.........£1,500 0 0 From Messrs. Thomson and Kirwau, for the extinguishment of a promise of a Lease of their Ship Yard, made by former proprietor .... 1,050 0 0 £2,550 0 05 8,000 0 0 9,700 0 0 3,540 0 0 1,293 6 8 3,708 4 4 The following payments have also been made by the present Corporation, on account of Contracts existing when they came into office:— To Mr. William Dargan, on account of his Contract for second section of new Cut, ........ ... . . To Mr. Cranston Gregg, further on account of his Contract for the extension of Antrim Quays,........... Messrs. Coates and Young, in full of Contract for new Steam Dredge, Messrs. Morton and Co., on account of Contract for Patent Slip, . . And a further sum, under the direction of the Resident Engineer, for the Patent Slip, of (including Timber contracted for) . . . . . . It will be seen by the accompanying account that, during the last half year, the Debt, bearing interest at 5 per cent., has been increased £19,599 8s. Yd.; and that there remains in the Treasurer's hands a sum of ,£8,863 16s. lOd. at this date. A difficulty was experienced, for some time, in fixing the valuation of the Corporation property, in re-; gard of Police Tax, and the former Corporation found it necessary to appeal against the amount returned by the Valuators, who, having no similar property to compare it with, could not be expected to arrive at a very just conclusion. The opportunity of the Town Council, as well as the Ballast Corporation, being be- fore Parliament, was taken advantage of, and the question was set at rest by clauses inserted in the Town Improvement Act, under which the tax will continue to be levied. Up to the present period, the Buoys in the Sound of Donaghadee have been maintained at the expense of Belfast Harbour, in consequence of the number of vessels frequenting the port which required to avail themselves of this navigation. The former Corporation had endeavoured to induce the Corporation for Improving the Port of Dublin, who, by law, are entrusted with the buoys and beacons on the Irish coast, to take part, at least, of the responsibility on them, and had succeeded in persuading them to erect a beacon on the Foreland Point. Under the new Act, the Admiralty have fixed the limits of Belfast Harbour with greater precision than before, and the Sound of Donaghadee is thereby excluded from the jurisdiction of the Harbour Commissioners, who, in consequence, renewed their correspondence with the Board in Dublin, who have agreed to take charge for the future of the buoys in the Sound; they have also given orders, as suggested, to place a Buoy on the sunken Rock, or Reef, North-East of Copeland Island ; and, in addition to the Light, to fix Fog Bells on the same island, to be rung by machinery, with a view to the prevention of dan- ger to Steamers. A further suggestion, as to the removal, by blasting, of the Deputy Rock, is still under consideration. With a view to affording information to Masters of Vessels taking freights for Belfast, and to the Public generally, a short notice has been prepared of the dues now levied at this port; this it is intended to place in the hands of the several Consuls of foreign powers, and circulate in quarters where the information may be desirable. By reference to the accounts of the several years from 1837 to 1848, it will be seen that a steady increase of trade and revenue has taken place from year to year ; the tonnage frequenting the Port having nearly doubled in ten years, and the surplus revenue, which in 1836 was £1483 14s. 6a., having risen to £7802 Is. 6d. at the termination of 1847, after deducting from the produce of the ordinary sources of income, £8827 6s. Od., the interest on the debt incurred since the former date.6 The following comparative statement gives the increase and decrease for the entire year, under the separate heads of income, showing an amount of excess on the whole ordinary revenue, of £1905 Is. Id. over last year:— 1846. 1847. Increase. Decrease. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. Rates on Goods, . 5,661 4 6 6,123 12 6£ 462 8 0£ ...... Tonnage, . . . . 8,967 3 2 8,863 2 10 ... 104 0 4 Ballast, • • • • 1,093 15 3 1,091 3 n\ ... 2 11 7i Quayage,. V. 1,843 17 1 3,400 3 1 1,556 6 0 ... Graving Dock, . : 236 8 1 329 2 6 92 14 5 ... Plankage, .... 69 18 1 . i 29 17 4 ... *99 15 5 * In reality, there is an increase of Revenue under this head of £82 Is. 9d. the apparent loss being caused by planks purchased for new Quays, of £181 17s. 2d. * In reality, there is an increase of Revenue under this head of £82 Is. 9d. the apparent loss being caused by planks purchased for new Quays, of £181 17s. 2d. The above statement shows an increase of £1906 4s. 5d. on the revenue, as compared with last year. A trifling falling off of 5339 tons appears in the tonnage frequenting the Port, but this is not to be wondered at when the depressed state of trade is considered. It must also be remarked, that an unusually large quantity of tonnage remain in the Harbour, uncleared at the Ballast-office. The large importation of food which took place during a portion of the present year, did not tend to increase the tonnage, as the circumstance which caused it operated with equal force against the cross-channel trade, as may be illustrated by the article of coals, on which there was a decrease during the year of 23,274 tons ; and it may be stated that the greatest falling off in this branch of trade occurred during the months when the largest importation of food took place. The increase on duties on Goods, and a portion of that on Quayage, is attributable to the relative increase on the Foreign trade, where both the duty and rate of Quayage are higher than on Coasters. It must also be borne in mind, in respect to Quayage, that there has been no expenditure for repairs during the present year. A Table is added to this Report, showing the increase in the Tonnage frequenting the Port, from the year 1837, when the Act 1st Victoria came into operation, till the present date ; and also a Table of the Vessels registered in the Port during the same period. Signed by order, EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. Ballast Office, January, 1848.7 Tannage frequenting the Port, from the year 1837 to 1847, both inclusive:— Vessels. Tons. Increase. Decrease. 1837 2,724 288,143 Tons, Tons. 1838 2,955 298,278 101,135 ... 1839 3,350 354,542 56,264 ... 1840 3,323 361,473 6,931 — 1841 3,378 357,902 3,571 1842 3,549 337,505 — 20,397 1843 3,370 363,038 25,533 ... 1844 3,655 445,537 82,499 1845 3,888 492,560 47,023 ... 1846 4,168 543,862 51,302 •• 1847 4,213 538,523 ... 5,339 Tannage frequenting the Port, from the year 1837 to 1847, both inclusive:— Tonnage Registered at the Port, from the year 1837 to 1847, both inclusive:— Vessels. Tons. Increase* Decrease. Tons. Tons. 1837 295 31,475 ... ... 1838 296 32,228 753 1839 335 41,336 9,108 1840 355 45,632 4,296 ... 1841 375 49,626 3,994 ... 1842 375 51,278 1,652 ... 1843 359 49,402 ... 1,876 1844 365 50,391 989 ... 1845 394 54,771 4,380 ... 1846 426 62,094 7,323 ... 1847 464 68,659 6,565 ... Tonnage Registered at the Port, from the year 1837 to 1847, both inclusive:—RESIDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT Belfast, 13th January, 1848. THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS. Gentlemen, In this Report, the first of the year just entered upon, I have, as usual, enumerated the principal Works that have been completed or commenced during the previous one. The following Works were in progress, or under contract, at the close of the year 1846:— A Timber Pond on Dargan'e Island. The building of eighteen Mud Barges. A Landing Shed on Queen's Quay. The Second Section of the New Channel. And, during the year, contracts were entered into for A Steam Dredge, of 20-horse power. Machinery and Steam-Engine of 20-horse power, for the Patent Slip. Timber for the foundations of the same. Rebuilding and extending the Antrim Quays, from Queen's Bridge to the Mile Water River. Painting of the Shed on Queen's Quay. A new Boiler for the Steam-Engine at the Graving Docks. Four Landing Sheds at Dunbar's Dock. 96 cast-iron Mooring Posts, or Palls; also 316 Brackets for the Patent Slip. The extension of Sewers in connection with the County Antrim Quays. Six additional Mud Barges. The aggregate amount of these works, with the exception ©f the Timber Pond, which was nearly com- pleted and paid for at the commencement of the year, amounts to £109,903 16s. 5d., of which £30,814 19s. 3d. has been paid during the progress of the works ; and as the whole of the contracts, with the exception of the Antrim Quays, and those connected with them, are to be finished within the year, the principal part of the balance will have to be paid before the commencement of the year 1849.2 The Timber Pond on Dargan's Island was commenced in 1846, and two-thirds of it was open for the reception of timber in the same year. It was completed in March last, and will contain from 1700 to 2000 logs of timber. A strong Foot Bridge has been thrown over the entrance, for the convenience of those using the timber pond. In April last, Messrs. M'Millan and Son delivered 18 Mud Barges, which were contracted for by them; tenders having been requested by advertisement in the previous year. The Landing Shed on Queen's Quay was finished on the 1st of May last, and within the time stated in the contract. The Second Cut, which was contracted for at the latter end of the previous year, is in progress ; but, from the difficulty the contractor sustained in closing the dams, the work is not in so forward a state as it- otherwise would have been ; active measures are now being taken to ensure the completion of it by the 1st of November next, the time named in the contract. In consequence of the improvements that were in progress and in contemplation in 1846, a second Steam Dredge became necessary, and attempts were made to procure one second-hand, but without success ; advertisements for tenders were afterwards inserted in the newspapers, with the same result, which no doubt arose from the great activity that then existed in all branches connected with the iron trade. There was, there- fore, no alternative but to arrange by private treaty ; two offers having previously been made, that of Messrs. Coates and Young was considered most eligible, and a contract was entered into with them for a Steam Dredge of greater power and length of bucket frame than the former one, being more adapted to the improved state of the Harbour. It has been employed since September last, and does its work very efficiently. This and the painting of the Landing Shed on Queen's Quay are the only contracts that have been completed within the year. In March last, a Contract was made for supplying Timber for the foundations of a Patent Slip ; and another was also entered into with Mr. Morton, of Leith, for Machinery, and an Engine of 20 horse-power for working the same. Upwards of 90 tons of the iron work has arrived, the foundations for which are ready. The Slip is 550 feet long, and, when completed, will be capable of accommodating Vessels of 1,000 tons burthen. The rebuilding of the Antrim Quays, and their extension from Dunbar's Dock to the Mile Water, being determined upon, Tenders were received, by public advertisement, in March last, and the Contractor commenced his operations in the following month. The first section, from near the entrance to Dunbar's Dock to the Mile Water, is finished; the space at the back is now being filled up with material from the Steam Dredge ; the second section, from the Queen's Bridge to Donegall Quay, is also in a forward state ; and the Contractor has commenced the third section, extending from the North side of Ritchie's Dock to the Pier head at Dunbar's Dock. In connection with this important improvement of the Harbour, by which steamers will be enabled to arrive and depart from their berths with greater regularity than they do now, is a con- tract foij extending the Sewers of the Town from the present to the new Quays ; also, one for supplying them wjth Mooring Posts, or Palls. The completion of the two last contracts is regulated by that of the first, which takes place in 1849. In September last, Tenders were received, and contracts entered into, for building four Sheds at Dun- bar's Dock ; as two of these were to be erected upon the Quays facing the river, and principally for the ac- commodation of Steamers during the rebuilding of Donegall Quay, they have been delayed for the present, as it is contemplated the progress of the works will enable them to be built on other sites, more suitable for the Steamers, before the latter are removed from Donegall Quay, preparatory to its being rebuilt. The other Sheds are in a forward state. Messrs. M'Millan and Son again entered into a Contract, last month, to deliver six new Mud Barges, . on the 1st of March next. They were the only parties who offered Tenders. Advertisements were issued for Tenders for supplying an Engine and Pumpa, on liire, for the Patent Slip, but as none were sent in, a small second-hand. Engine was purchased, and an agreement made with Messrs. Coates and Young for the fixing of it, and furnishing the necessary Pumps. To keep pace with these improvements, the quantity of Dredging has been increased; in the year 1845, it was 109,188 tons ; last year it was 182,867 tons. A large portion of this has been used in filling in tie-3 space between the old and new Quays, at Ballymacarrett, which is now sewered and partly paved; in filling up the Town Dock, at the foot of High-street, and at the back of the new Quay, in the first cut. At Dunbar's Dock, an additional width of sixty feet, for the storage of Deals, has been Paved ; both Pier Heads have also been Paved ; and the large Crane, on the South Pier Head has been repaired and re-erected. An inclined roadway has been made from the upper end of Queen's Quay on to the approaches to the bridge. As the retaining walls are not piled, it is allowed to remain in its present unfinished state, to give time for them to settle, before the parapets are put on ; when completed, a considerable distance will be saved, particularly in the cartage of coal round the present road, in front of the warehouses. The cill and apron of the gates to No. 2 Graving Dock being very much out of repair, from the sinking of the walls of the lock, admitted a large quantity of water into tne Dock. As there were vessels waiting to go in, it was desirable that the requisite repairs should be done in as short a time as possible ; and, notwithstanding a Coffer Dam was necessary, they were completed within three weeks from the com- mencement. In consequence of an arrangement entered into with Mr. Dargan, about 20,000 yards of earth were ex- cavated from the field adjoining the Timber Pond at Dunbar's Dock, which will be available for a Timber Pond, if required, or constitute a portion of the excavation necessary for forming a Dock During the summer, the Pilotage and Light House was painted inside and out. A light, showing green, from a powerful argand burner, has been put on the Coast-guard Ship ; and a double set of lanthorns have been furnished for lighting the Beacons in the old Channel. I shall shortly have to call your attention to the necessity of another Light-house, at the end of the second cut, to be in readiness by the time the lat- ter is opened to the public ; at which period the present temporary lighting of the channel will be dispensed with, and the expense saved to the Corporation. The only works at present contemplated, in addition to those now in progress, are, an Engine-house for the Patent Slip ; and a flight of Steps to the Queen's Quay, to correspond with those that are contracted to be made at Ritchie's Dock, in a direct line with the new street that will be formed there when the dock is filled up. The steps to Queen's Quay will be ready by the time the boats now building for the convenience of passengers from one quay to another are finished, and may be used with those at the north end of Donegall Quay, previous to the building of the new quays; and a proper house for the tide guage, which I wish to place so as to contain an office for the Chief Harbour Master, and such other objects as may seem desirable. I remain, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant, GEORGE SMITH, C.E.STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF BELFAST HARBOUR, FOR THE YEAR 1848; WITH Qfyt Annual Report fymon, AND THE REPORT OF THE RESIDENT ENGINEER, FOR THE SAME PERIOD. Belfast: PRINTED FOR THE HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, BY JOSEPH SMYTH, 31, HIG^-STREET. 1 8 4 9.£tatciur«t of arrouuts OF THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30th DECEMBER, J 848.Account of Receipt atrtr <£xpettirttute of Sums The Tear Ending £ S. d. £ *> d. RECEIPTS. To Rates on Goods— 5964 4 H To Tonnage Dues:— Irish Sailing Coasters, 10,875 Tons, at 2d. ... ... ... ••• ••• 90 12 6 Across Channel,......... 191,655 „ 4d. 3194 5 0 4062 O 4 Foreign Trade, ......... 60,702 „ 4d. 1011 14 0 oonx Vaooale TniN .. ... ... 8358 11 10 ovvo vessels, ......»••..« ouo,»oo luiis ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• To Ballast Sand,............... 44,309 Tons, at lOd. 1846 4 2 Do................... 1,473 „ Is. Wharf... 73 13 0 Stone,............... 110 ,, 2s. 6d., Extras 12s. 6d. 14 7 6 /fcqqq Tnno .. ... 1934 4 8 40)o«/a xons ... •... «*• ••• * To Quayage on Vessels—3d. on Foreign, l£d. on all others 3664 13 n Wintering Ships 83 4 0 a \t /~tt . 1 *__1 3747 17 7i * No Charge levied on uoous. 1 2 To Graving Docks 910 11 10 To Porterage, Storage, and Craneage of Timber, &c., at Dunbar's Dock, yielding gross 1275 12 2 Do. do, do. do. at Quays ... 1 8 0 To Harbour Passage Boats, since 21st August, 1848, 215 5 11 To Pilot Boat Establishment—being the contribution of the Pilots and Light-House to its support 644 18 6 To Gangway Planks ... 161 1 0 To Rents, Tenements, 516 19 4 To Mooring Buoys 7 18 2 4 23738 13 10letnelr utrtiet Hje Belfast Jaarfwut Hct, t8ff7, for 30th December, 1848. EXPENDITURE. £ S. d. £ S. d. By Proportion of Expenses of working and maintaining Dredges, Barges, and Utensils, for clean- ) ing the Harbour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... \ 1500 0 0 By Tonnage, refunded 11 7 0 By Cost Stone Ballast 27 2 2 " Jlaising Sand Ballast, Repairs of Lighters, &c. 1063 1 4 1090 3 6 By Police Rate for Quays, One Year 465 13 0 By Wages and Repairs at do. 239 8 8 705 1 8 By Graving Docks—Fuel, Pumping, Repairs, &c. 836 14 10 By Porterage, Salaries, and Expenses, at Dunbar's Dock 850 9 2 By do. Quays* 9 10 3 By Harbour Passage Boats, Boatmen's "Wages, &c. 84 12 5 By Pilot Boat Establishment, for Expenses 661 18 8 By Gangway Planks, for Wages and other Expenses 43 16 7 By Poor Rates, allowed on Rents 35 10 4 By Mooring Buoys 18 13 6 • By Channel Buoys 99 7 1 118 537 o 7 By Incidental Expenses, Office Rent, Taxes, Coals, Insurance, &c. 19 7 By Sundry Repairs connected with Harbour 653 • 4 0 By Lighting Channel Beacons ... 113 16 7 By Stationery, Printing, Advertising, &uro0 letueir uttiret tfje Ifolfast ^lartout &ct, l$&7, for Slst DECEMBER, 1849. EXPENDITURE. £ S. d. £ S. d. By Amount brought forward from last page 8950 3 By Harbour Light-House—Oil and Wages 130 10 11 By Election Expenses, 1849 ... 53 4 10 By Queen's Visit, 11th August, 1849 814 19 6 By Salaries :— Edmund Getty, Secretary 400 0 0 Thomas Price, Accountant 120 0 0 William E. Young, Clerk 120 0 0 George M'Clean " 80 0 0 William McDonald " 40 0 0 Alexander M'Donald and Henry M'Cord, Apprentices 35 0 0 William Hartley* Auditor 60 0 0 Joseph Calvert, Collector of Rates at Whitehouse ... 10 0 0 865 0 0 George M'Kibbin, Pilot and Dock-Master ... 125 0 0 Arthur Russell, Harbour Master ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 John Faloon „ „ 9 Months. ... ... ... 75 0 0 Alexander Craig, Assistant Harbour-Master 58 10 0 Samuel Shaw, Clerk of Ballast Delivery .. ... .. 85 0 0 - 443 10 o By Annuities :— William Savage, Superannuated Harbour-Master 50 0 0 Thomas Acheson, Superannuated Pilot 6 0 0 Margaret Benson and Elizabeth M'Greevy, Pilots' Widows ... 20 0 0 Mary Graham, E. Patterson, and A. Stafford 12 0 0 88 0 0 By Interest on Bonds, Treasurer s Account, &c, 14716 1 7 26061 9 Hi3 &ccouttt of all Sums metoetr on ;€aan, ot as Siwowt, 6y anil tfie ^xyeniiiture of tfjesatuc touting RECEIPTS. £ s. ! (i. £ s. d. To Received on Loan in 1849 ... 59000 0 0 To Rent due by Town Council, as per former statement, since received 100 0 0 To Police Rate charged, not yet paid 505 19 8 To Final Instalment op William Dargan's Contract, charged for New Channel, payable} 10th January, 1850. ... ... ... ... ... ... ...j 2157 7 7 To Hugh Morton's additional claim, charged to Patent Slip ... ... ... 93 19 10 To Final Instalment of Cranston Gregg's Contract, charged for New Quays, payable inl Marph, 1850 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...} 2431 19 4 To Thomsons & Kir wan V Account charged,—-balance not yet paid ... ... ... ... 155 12 5 To Pilotage due to Pilots, for 1849. ... 37 7 o§ To Planting Queen's Island, part of £174 6s. 4d., per Contra, page 2—paid in 1848 ... 104 4 7 The foregoing statement examined by me, which 1 have found to agree with the Books and Vouchers of the Commissioners, and all is perfectly correct. WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor to the commissioners. i £ 64586 10 °2Belfast sfiatfiiciut Cmttiniosiottcrs, uttiret iiarfwut Stt, t8#7, 8 tfje Igeat <£«fcittjj 31st Betetttfcet, I8fi3. • » EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. £ S. d. By Balance due Treasurer on 30th December, 1848 ... 27947 10 4 By Balance of preceding statement, brought forward .. 224 18 °i By Interest on Unfunded Loans, due 30th December, 1848, since settled 49 2 10 By Town Council, due them, do. do. # 465 13 0 By Edmund Getty due him, do. do. 115 15 6 By New Works Paid in 1849:— Mooring Pauls on Qneen's Island ... 113 1 0 Extension of Quays on County Antrim side of the River ... 11627 2 2 New Channel—Second Section ... 7440 12 11 Queen's Quay % ... 1938 6 0 Patent Slip ... 2247 18 8 • Extension, &c., of Prince's Dock ... 204 • 7 8 New Timber Ponds ... 1604 18 11 New Sheds—County Antrim side ... 94 19 8 Salaries of Engineer and Assistants ... ... 662 10 0 Stamps for Bonds ... 459 15 0 Law Costs, &c. ... 129 18 4 • Hargraves and Kennedy, on account Swing Bridge ... ... 886 0 0 Sewerage of Slip Docks and Antrim Quays ... ... 1029 6 11 Stone Beacon at West Bank ... 218 0 0 C. Gregg's Contract, on account Dock Basin, &c. ... 2200 9 3 30857 1721 6 17 0 By Property Purchased, Paid in 1849 ... ... ... ... 2 By Machines and Implements, paid in 1849 ... * 92 6 11 Br Harbour Passage Boats, on account of New Boats ... 22 10 0 By Rents Outstanding, Credited in account ... 152 14 8 By Town Council due by them, do. ... 184 5 3 By Ulster Canal Co., do. do. ... 14 17 0 ... 187 4 11 By Balance, viz. :— In hands of Treasurer ... ... •' ... •... ... 2401 14 4 Do. Secretary ... ... ... ♦ 148 14 0 2550 8 4 • Belfast, 31 st December, 1849. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. • 64566 10 1 2Jr.___THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS. Being a Statement of Debts and Assets, DEBTS. £ * S. d. £ S. d. To Bond Loans at 5 per cent 307650 0 0 To Bond Loans at 4 per cent 9 27150 0 0 ' To Unfunded Loans, at 5 per cent., for which Bonds have not yet been executed, being a part of £10001 agreed to be taken some time ago ... ... ... ... . . ...) 400 0 0 335200 505 0 19 0 8 To Town Council, for one year's Police Rate To William Dargan, balance due him for New Channel 2157 7 7 To Cranston Gregg do. New Quays - ... 2431 19 4 To Hugh Morfron, balance as furnished for Patent Slip 93 19 10 To Thomsons & Kir wan, balance due them 155 12 5 To Pilotage 58 2 7 340003 1 5 Balance, being Surplus Assets in favour of Commissioners ... ... ... ... ... 122933 ! 19 4 The foregoing statement examined by me, which 1 have found to agree with the Books and Vouchers of the Commissioners, and all is perfectly correct. * * WILLIAM HARTLEY, auditor to the commissioners. • 463537 0 9BALANCE SHEET. Cr. 4 Ending 31st December, 1849. £ S. (L 50000 0 0 1300 0 0 164384 16 5 11385 12 9 40853 8 1 42464 16 9 42701 4 1 16455 3 4 3514 6 10 18485 11 6 100 0 0 57247 4 10 1449 9 6 2529 6 11 4230 4 6 41 15 10 218 0 0 2200 9 3 886 0 0 184 5 3 14 17 * 0 187 4 11 152 14 8 2401 14 4 148 14 0 £ 539 2550 391644 68802 463537 ASSETS. By Graving Dock Property, and adjoining Lands and Premises, valued at By Lighthouse, ... Cost By Quays, Docks, and other Properties, purchased from various individuals By Extension, &c., Prince's Dock ... Cost By Queen's Quay ... ... do. By New Channel—First Section—being the Sum expended in the formation thereof By New Channel, Second Section ... Do. By Patent Slip, ... ... ... do. By Timber Ponds By Steam Dredges, Machines, Scows, &c. By Harbour Passage Boats ... Value of Six By Extension of Quays on County Antrim side of the River ... By New Sheds, County Antrim Side By Sewerage of Slip Docks and Antrim Quays By New Works and Improvements, for Engineering and Stamps By Tide Guage By Stone Beacon at West Bank ... Cost By Cranston Gregg, on account Contract for Dock Basin By Hargravesand Kennedy, on account Contract for Swing Bridge By Town Council, due by them ... By Ulster Canal Company, due by them ... ... ... ... By Donegall v Gregg, Costs to be refunded By Rents due b^ Sundries By Geo. T. Mitchell, Treasurer, in his hands By Cash, balance on hands Belfast, 31s£ December, 1849. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary £ 539 2550 s. d. 391644 19 68802 10 10 10 463537Tonnage Registered at the Part, from the year 1837 to 1849, both inclusive > Vessels,. Tons. Increase. Decrease. 1837 295 31,475 Tons. Tons. 1838 298 32,228 573 ... 1839 335 41,336 9,108 *•* 1840 355 45,632 4,296 - 1841 375 49,626 3,994 — 1842 375 51,278 1,652 ... 1843 359 49,402 ... 1,876 1844 365 50,391 989 ... 1845 394 54,771 4,380 1846 426 62,094 7,323 ... 1847 464 68,659 * 6,565 1848 475 71,556 2897 ... 1849 467 75,441 3885 i Tonnage Registered at the Part, from the year 1837 to 1849, both inclusive >ANNUAL REPORT. The Harbour Commissioners, acting under the provisions of the public Acts by which their proceedings are guided, have now to lay before the public the statement of Accounts for the year 1849. They have, also, in pursuance of the plan adopted since the year 1845, added thereto the following general statement of their proceedings, and of the progress made in giving effect, during the past year, to the important trust committed to their charge. A reference to former reports will shew the nature of the great improvements commenced under their instructions, and now rapidly approaching completion. The Expenditure on New "Works during j the past year, though on a very reduced scale, when compared with that of 1848, has been still considerable, as is shown by the following enumeration New Channel, 2nd Section. ... . . £5283 5 4 Quays between Queen's Bridge and Mile-water..... 8723 12 10 Patent Slip, and Buildings connected therewith .... 2153 18 10 Lamp-Posts, & main for supplying Gas to Queen's Quay, Prince's Dock, &c. 478 10 0 Swing Bridge across Entrance to Graving Dock Basin 886 0 0 Erection of a Stone Beacon at West Bank...... 218 0 0 Extension of Graving Dock Basin . . . . . . . 2200 9 3 Timber Ponds ...... .... . 1604 18 11 Mooring Pauls .......... 532 0 0 Queen's Quay . . . ....... 1716 14 8 New Sheds—County Antrim Side....... 94 19 8 Sewerage for Slip Docks and Antrim Quays..... 1029 6 11 Property Purchased from Mr. M'Laine...... 1500 0 0 £26421 16 52 The existing liabilities may be summed up as follows:— Mr. Gregg—Balance of Contract for New Quays .... £2431 19 4> Do. do. Extension of Graving Dock Basin . . . 800 0 0 Mr. Dargan, do. Contract for Victoria Channel . . 2157 7 7 Messrs. Smith & Ross—do.—Sheds..............1904 0 0 Messrs. Hargraves and Kennedy-—do.—Swing Bridge. . , . 443 0 0 Cave-Hill Railway Company . £4000 o 0 less Sum to be received from Ballymena Railway Compy. 1500 0 0 -- 2500 0 0 £10236 6 11 The following is a statement of the funded debt of the Corporation :— Bearing Interest at Five per Cent . . . . . . . £307650 0 O Bearing Interest at Four per Ceat....... 27150 0 0 £334800 0 0 The New Works being almost completed, and the liabilities having been reduced to a com- paratively small amount, die Commissioners have declined to receive any more money on loan above Four per Cent, at which rate they have reason to believe they will be able to obtain the limited sum they now require. During the past year Victoria Channel was finally completed and formally opened to the trade of the Port. The Patent Slip, on Queen's Island, has also been completed. To meet the wants of a very important class of Shipping, such as the moderate sized Vessels carrying valuable Cargoes from tke Mediterranean aud the Baltic, it was determined to extend consider- ably the Basin in front of the Graving Docks. Several large and commodious Sheds are in course of erection on Donegall Quay, which will afford great accommodation to the public by preventing the exposure of perishable Goods to the weather. At the last Annual Meeting the attention of the Commissioners was directed to a revision of the Rates on Goods chargeable at this port. This question has received the careful considera- tion of a Committee appointed for the purpose, who have collected, from the leading Ports of Great Britain, much valuable information bearing on this subject, it has been thought prudent, however, to defer the preparation of a New Scale of Rates until the period arrives when the New Works being completed, the Commissioners may l»e able to form a correct estimate of the iiiture Income and Expenditure, and thus ascertain if any important change in the taxa- tion of the p»rt will be necessary.s Steps have been taken, in conjunction with the Owners and Agents, to ensure the punctual sailing of Steam Vessels from this Harbour at their advertised hours, and as this measure appears to have afforded much satisfaction to the public, it will be rigidly adhered to. The Commissioners have decided on giving the Trade of the Port the advantages with regard to Pilotage offered by the Public Act, passed during the last Session of Parliament. They have therefore determined to grant Licenses to Pilot tkeir own Vessels to Masters of Ships trading to the port, who, on examination, may give satisfactory proofs of their capability for undertaking this duty. The tonnage which entered the Port, during the year now completed, was 555,021 tons, being an increase of 48,068 tons over that of the previous year. The following statement of the number of Vessels and their Tonnage, which entered the Harbour since the com- mencement of the Improvements, in 18S7» may not be uninteresting, as it shows the rapid de- velopment of the trade of the Port m7 2,724 Vessels. 288,143 Tons. 1838 2,955 298,278 1839 3,350 354,542 1840 3,323 361,473 1841 3,378 357,902 1842 3,549 337,505 1843 3,370 363,038 1844 3,655 445,537 1845 3,888 492,560 1846 4,168 543,862 1847 4,213 538,523 1848 3,905 506,953 1849 4,080 555,0214 The increasing prosperity of this part of Ireland, and the activity of its various Manufac- tures during the past year, have had the usual influence on the business of the Port, by causing an addition to its revenue under several heads. The gross income exhibits an increase of £2097 18s. Id., £499 Us. Id. of which being on Rates on Goods, evinces the extension of commercial transactions. The Expenditure of the year has been increased, however, by the interest on the ad- ditional sums obtained on loan, and on the Treasurer's advances. There has also been charged various expenses which cannot be considered as of ordinary occurrence.' Thefee united, have ab- sorbed the additional revenue, nevertheless the increasing trade warrants the confident hope en- tertained by the Commissioners that the present exceedingly moderate taxation may suffice for the future. During the year there have been 47 Meetings of the General Board, and 96 Meetings of Committees.—In all, 143 Meetings. The accompanying Report of the Resident Engineer, gives the progress of the Improve- ments more in detail. Signed by order, EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. Harbour Commissioners' Office, Is# January, 18.50RESIDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT Belfast, 1s£ January, 1850. THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, Gentlemen, In my last Annual Report I enumerated the contracts that were entered into in the year 1848 and the state of the Works generally at the close of that year. Since then Contracts have been made for the formation of a Timber Pond adjoining Prince's Dock, for the exten- sion of the Graving Docks Basin, and for building two Landing Sheds in addition to the two that were contracted for in 1847, but the erection of which, in consequence of a change in your arrangements, was held over till convenient sites were ready for them. The entire number is now erecting on Donegall-Quay. The Patent Slip, the second section of Victoria Channel, The Iron Bridge over the Entrance to the Graving Docks Basin and the Stone Beacon on the West Bank, works contracted for pre- vious to 1849, have been completed during that year. With respect to the New Channel it is proper to state that the Contractor, having failed in dredging it to the proper depth, at the lower end, before the winter gales set in, was obliged to desist, and was not able to resume opera- tions till the following Spring, which delayed the opening of it several months beyond the prob- able time stated in my former report. Since the opening of the Patent Slip, in January last, fourteen vessels have been hauled up for repairs j one at present on, "the Marchioness of Bute," is 850 tons register, old measurement,g and has 150 tons of salt on board. The number of Vessels which took advantage of the Slip was small compared with those entered for the Graving Docks in the same period j the proximity of the latter to the Town, and to the Ship-building yards, creates for them a preference j it is, there- fore, principally those Vessels whose great draft of water, breadth of beam, or being pressed for time, prevent their getting into the Docks, that have taken advantage of the increased ac- commodation offered by the Slip. In addition to the Works before mentioned, the old Timber Fond, adjoining Prince's Dock, has been deepened, and the entrance improved, so that the timber is now always afloat. A strong White Light has been exhibited at the lower end of the N. W. Bank of the Victoria Channel and one, coloured red, in the bight immediately below it. The tidal Docks at the foot of Waring-Street and Gt. George's-Street have been filled up, and the spaces they occupied, with the site of one formerly at the foot of High-Street, are to re- main unbuilt upon for the use of the public generally. The completion of the west side of the Graving Docks Basin, and the repair of the Light- House on Hollywood Bank, will fee brought under your consideration immediately. Previous to the commencement of the improvements under the Act of 1837> and also1 since that year the cost of Dredging formed a large item in your annual expenditure; this has very much increased during the past and several preceding years, as, in addition to maintaining the original depth, the course of the River opposite to Ritchie's Dock, has been diverted from its natural channel, by the extension of the Quays, and the whole space, from the Bridge ta Prince's Dock, doubled in width, the depth of water being at the same time increased five to seven feet Under the head of Dredging is therefore included a portion of the outlay required for the improvement of the River, in addition to the customary charge for maintenance* The Dredges were also employed in opening out the ends of the two Sections of Victoria Channel. It was anticipated that the formation of the straight Channel would render less Dredging necessary in the lower part of the River, and the fact that the upper Section of it has maintained its depth without any Dredging, since it was opened in 1841, confirms this view. The increased depth, however, given to the River opposite the Quays, being much belew its natural bed, will require an additional amount of Dredging to keep it from filling up, and this3 will have to be increased as the Sewerage of the Town increases; I expect, notwithstanding, that one Steam Dredge, with the occasional assistance of the Hand Dredges, will be able to maintain the River in its present state. There have been 272,367 Tons dredged daring the past year in the upper part of the Harbour and Docks, being more than double what was raised in the previous one, and three times as much as in *ny former year. As near as can be ascertained Mr. Dargan dredged about 32,164 Tons at the lower end of Victoria Channel, making the total quantity raised 304,531 Tons, nearly 1000 Tons per day, including stoppages for repairs, and other causes. Out of the above the Town Council have received for filling up May's Ground, 41,471 Tons. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, GEORGE SMITH.statrmf.it of accounts OF BELFAST HARBOUR, FOR THE YEAR 1850; WITH Cfjc Annual ftepott tijmott, and TUB REPORT OF THE RESIDENT ENGINEER, FOR THE SAME PERIOD. Belfast: PRINTED FOR THE HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, BY JOSEPH SMYTH, 34, HIGH.STREET. 1851.LIST OF MEMBERS. THE MARQUIS OF DONEGALL, Pkesident. THE REV. LORD EDWARD CHICHESTER. THE MAYOR OF BELFAST. MttttXf 4*tcml>crs. Fatate On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1851. JAMES HERON, Esq. JOHN DUNN, Esq. GEORGE M'TEAR, Esq. JOHN CLARKE, Esq. SAMUEL THOMSON, Esq. Fatate On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1852. WILLIAM VALENTINE, Esq. ROBERT GRIMSHAW, Esq. JOHN HARRISON, Esq. THOMAS CORBITT, Esq, ROBERT BOYD, Esq. Fatate On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1853. NICHOLAS FITZSIMONS, Esq. WILLIAM PIRRIE, Esq. HUGH MAGILL, Esq. ♦VALENTINE WHITLA, Esq. DAVID GRAINGER, Esq. •chairman.STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS of the BELFAST HARBOUR GOBHISSIONERS, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 81st DECEMBER, 1850.of Stmipt aifo of Sums THE TEAR ENDING £ S. d. £ S. d. RECEIPTS. To Rates on Goods ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... , ... 7461 17 H To Tonnage Dues :— Irish Sailing Coasters, ... 10,^58 Tons, at 2d. 87 19 8 .Across Channel, ......... 209,244 „ 4d. 3487 8 0 Steamers,.................. 336,473 „ 4d. 5607 17 8 Foreign Trade, ......... 67,838 » 4d. ... ... 1130 12 8 A ^Qrt \7acod1o l to TTAfto 10313 18 0 yesseisj •••••••••«•• uz^iio xons ••• ••• ••• • •• • •• To Ballast :— 1981 10 10 Do......................... 3,729 Is. Wharf ... ...... 186 9 0 Stone,..................... 10 „ 2s. 6d., Extras, 10s. 7d. ... 1 15 7 x i one 2169 15 5 j.ons • • ••• To Quayage on Vessels—3d. on Foreign, l^d. on all others 4477 9 9i Wintering Ships, 32 13 9 4510 3 64 ♦No charge levied on goods. u2 To Graving Docks ... ...... ... ... ... .. ... 664 5 4 To Porterage, Storage, and Crane age of Timber, &c., at Prince's Dock, yielding gross 1668 0 5 To Harbour Passage Boats 533 15 8 To Pilot Boat Establishment—being the contribution of the Pilots and Light-House to its support 780 8 ** To Gangway Planks ... 225 13 0 To Rents, Tenements, less Poor Rates and Repairs 373 13 9 To Mooring Buoys, 0 7 6 To Patent Slip in Operation ... 310 10 3 29012 8 fetnrir tttfoer fyt iiatfyut&et, I8fi7, to* 31st DECEMBER, 1850. EXPENDITURE. £ S. d. £ S. d. By Proportion of Expenses of working and maintaining Dredges, Barges, and Utensils, for clean-1 1500 n A ing the Harbour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...) V V By Sundry Repairs connected with Harbour 578 7 n 2078 7 n # By Tonnage refunded 0 7 5 By Cost of Raising Ballast, Repairs of Lighters, &c. N.B—The above does not include any charge made for the use of the Implements, which are necessarly and exclusively employed In supplying the Ballast. 1188 7 10 By Expenditure on Quays, viz:— Police Rate—One Year, ending 31st December, 1850 ... 570 17 2 W^ges and Repairs 538 12 10 1109 625 10 15 0 0i By Graying Docks—Fuel, Pumping, Repairs, &c. .. By Porterage, Salaries, and Expenses, at Prince's Dock ... 828 19 6 By Harbour Passage Boats, Boatmen's Wages, &c. 290 10 0 By Pilot Boat Establishment, for Expenses 641 3 H By Gangway Planks, for Wages, and other Expenses ... 112 8 6 By Mooring Buoys 67 16 7 By Channel Buoys 47 14 5 115 11 o By Incidental Expenses—Office Rent, Taxes, Coals, Insurance, &c., &c. ... 417 17 H By Expenses of opposing Town Improvement Bill 297 18 11 By Lighting Channel Beacons—Oil, Wages, and Lamps ... 149 18 10 By Harrour Light-House—Oil and Wages ... ... ... ... ... 227 15 9 377 14 7 By Stationery, Printing, Advertising, &c. 170 1 2 By Ha$90Ur Police and Clothing ... ... ... ... ... { 354 2 0 Forward to ntxt page..................... 8606 14 1 2 Continuation of &«ount of mrtr Ca^nirituw of TEE YEAR ENDIN6 RECEIPTS. s. d. s. d. To Amount brought forward from last page. 29012 3i I fa hereby certify that I have examined and compared the whole of the foregoing Account with the Boohs and Vouchers of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and thai the several Sums therein stated agree with same. WILLIAM HARTLEY, Auditor to the said Commissioners. 29012 Sum* k&wfr ttw^ ftp iSeWoat jjfotfame t8fi7, fof 31st DECEHBER, 1850. EXPENDITURE. By Amount brought forward from last'page By Patent Slip—Working Expenses By Election Expenses, 1850. ... By Queen's Visit, 11th August, 1849. By Salaries Edmund Getty, Secretary Thomas Price, Accountant William E. Young, Clerk George Mclean " William M'Donald " • ... Alexander M'Donald and Henry M'Cord, Apprentices William Hartley, Auditor Joseph Calvert, Collector of Rates at Whitehouse George M'Kibbin, Pilot and Dock-Master—dead—Six months Washington Pirrie, Harbour Master and Dock Master Arthur Russell, Harbour Master—dead—Three months George Montgomery, Assistant Harbour Master Patrick M'Bride, Do. £75, and extra £2 15s. 9d. Alexander Craig, Do. By Annuities William Savage, Superannuated Harbour-Master Thomas Acheson, Superannuated Pilot ... ... ... Margaret Benson and Elizabeth M'Greevy, Pilots' Widows ... Mary Graham, E, Patterson, and A. Stafford By Interest on Bonds, Treasurer's Account, &.c, ... Balance, being ajfcess of Income in the year ending 31st December, 1850, over ordinary Expenditure! and Interest ... ... M# ... ... M. ... ... ...) Belfast, 31*1 December, 1850. JSDMUND GETTY, Secretary. 400 120 175 80- 40 45 60 10 62 175 25 75 77 58 10 0 0 0 15 10 50 6 20 11 d. 8606 388 12 38 930 14 13 11 12 d. 1 2 7 3 473 87 16422 26960 2052 29012 15 0 17 0 9 7 8i 8 31s iff all Sums ou£«mt, at a* 9tac«ttte, %% &xpotittfttte of fyc same, Xmrittg RECEIPTS, £ S. cl. £ S. d. To Balance in hands of Treasurer on 31st December, 1849. ... ... ... ••• 2401 14 4 — Do. do. Secretary, do. ... ... ... ... 148 14 0 2550 8 3 4 To Nett surplus income over expenditure, for tbe year ending 31st Dec. 1850 per preceding statement 2052 H To Received on loan in 1850, at 5 per cent interest, as formerly agreed ... ... ... ... 600 0 0 To Received on loan in 1850, at A per cent interest ... 1900 0 0 To Received from Ballymena Railway Co., as an equivalent for a right of passsage under their Rail- way, originally guaranteed to the Cave Hill Railway Company ... ... [ 1500 0 0 To Portion of £152 14s. 8d. due for Rents, as per former statement, since received 124 11 H To Received from Town Council, for discharging Scows ... ... ... ... ... 236 3 2 To Police Rate charged, not yet paid 570 17 2 To James C. Gregg, 9s. 3d. Incidents 16s. 1 5 3 9535 8 9 To George T. Mitchell, Treasurer, in advance 31st Dec., 1850. - 10988 14 0 2Q524 2 9Belfast Jsatboui; Commissioners, ttttfor sliatfiout &cf, t8ft7, a«fc tije Ifcat: Cnbiiif 3tst Hmtnfer, 1850. £ S. d. £ s. d. EXPENDITURE. By New Works:— William Dargan, final Instalment of Contract for 2nd, section of Victoria Channel ... 2157 7 7 James C. Gregg, final Instalment for front of Quays on Antrim side of the River, ... ... 2431 19 4 Cost of material dredged, opposite same and used in their formation 2097 10 5 Wages, pavement blocks and Materials used in forming those Quays 3287 0 7 Main for supplying Gas to Donegall Quay, and Lamp &c. 244 18 2 Hargraves and Kennedy—Balance of Contract for swing Bridge across Clarendon Dock Entrance... ... ••• ••• •*• ••• ••• ••• 464 14 5 James C. Gregg—On Account of Contracts for Extensions of Graving Dock Basin £0 as to form Clarendon Dock 2795 16 10 New Sheds 2654 3 10 -- Coal Brokers Offices and Weigh Bridge with Weigh Master's Office 492 17 4 James Morton—Balance of Contract for Patent Slip ... 93 10 10 Patent Slip—Expended this year on Auxiliary works ... 392 3 2 New Ship Building Yard ... ... ... ... ... ^ 367 7 4 Channel Light Houses &c ... 42 J2 8 Timber Ponds ... 386 8 7 Queen's Island ... ... ... ... ... ... . •. ... • ... 350 15 5 ; - New Works 3rd Division ... 30 10 9 Expenses of Engineer's Office and Stamps for Bonds ... v. ... ... 651 17 6 18942 3 9 By Machines and Implements, Paid 1850 67 2 0 By Property Purchased, Sheriff and Jury, &c. ... ... ,.. 37 16 0 By Town Council, due them 31st Dec., 1849, since settled 505 19 8 By Dredging in 1850, on Account Town Council ... 346 18 11 By Law Costs, in re Donegall v Dunbar to be refunded 157 3 5 By Thomson and Kirwan, due them 31st Dec., 1849 since settled 155 12 5 By Amount at Credit of Pilotage on 31st Dec., 1849, included in this year's income 58 2 7 By Bents Outstanding, Credited in account ... ... •*» ... ... 175 0 0 By Quayage due by Ulster Canal CoaMfBtap* ... In V . At m t - 1 rt ^ A - - 78 4 0 Belfast, Qlst JDecBUftyCT, 1850. 20524 9 EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. 2 * Sir._ Tlffi BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS. Being a Statement of Debts and Assets, -*F' ;-:-:----rr,-;-----'-----'---- DEBTS. £ S. d. £ s. d. To Bond Loans, at five per cent .. 308650 0 0 To Do. Do., at four per cent ... 29050 0 0 337700 o n u To George T. MitcIieLl, Treasurer due him ' ... ... ... 10988 14 0 To Town Council, For one year's Police Rate ... ... ..V ... ' i*. 570 17 2 To Smit& and Ross, Balance due them for Sheds 222 7 9 To James 0. Gregg, Do due him for Do. 640 0 1 350121 19 0 Balance, Being Surplus assets in favour of Commissioners 124986 3 0* 1 do hereby certify that I have examined and compared the whole of the foregoing Account with the Books and Vouchers of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and that the several Sums therein stated agree with same. WILLIAM HARTLEY, Auditor to the said Commissioners. 475108 2 _BALANCE SHEET.__<&X. ' 4 Ending 31st December, 1850. £ $: d: £ S. d. ASSETS; By Graving Dock Property, and adjoining Lands and Premises, valued at >M ••• 50600 0 0 By Quays, Docks, and other Properties, purchased from varions individuals ... 162922 i2 5 By New Channel and Islands, being the Sum expended in the formation therfebf ... ... 85547 7 0 By New Quays ... ... do. Ml 105509 1 11 By Extension, &c., Prince's Dock ... Cost 11385 i2 tf By Patent Slip, and auxilary Works ... Cost ... 16847 6 6 By Sheds ... ... ... ... Cost 7152 4 0 By Smith and Ross on account Contract for coal exchange • • • • ♦ • 407 0 0 By Clarendon Dock, in progress ... • • • • • • , 3995 ie 10 By James C. Gregg, on Account contract for Clarendon Dock Wall ... 1000 0 0 By Ship Building Yard, in progress ... 367 7 4 By Engineering and Stamps ... 4882 2 Ik. 0 Total Expended under Acts of 1837 and 1847 400016 10 9 By Lighthouse, ... Cost ... 1300 0 0 By Timber Ponds ... Do. ... » ... 3900 15 5 By Stone Beacon ... Do. ... ... 218 0 tf By Tide Guage ... Do. • • • • • • 41 15 id By Channel Light Hotises, in progress ... ... ... ••• ••• 42 12 & Total Cost of other works of General Improvement ... .. * 5503 3 11 By Steam Dredges, Machines, Scows, &c. ... ... ... ... ; ... 18552 13 6 By Passage Boats ... ... Value of Six 100 0 tf 18652 13 6 By Donegall v. Gregg costs to be refunded ... ... 187 4 11 By Do. v Dunbar Do. 157 3 5 By Town Council, dufc by them ... ... 295 1 0 By Ulster Canal Company Do. ... ... ... ... ... .., ... ... 93 1 0 By Thompsons and Kirwan Do. ... ... ••• ... 55 0 o By Charles Connell and Sons Do. ... ... ... ••• • •• . M » 148 3 <4 Belfast, 31s* December, 1850. EDMUND GET! * 935 13 ?Y, Secretary. 475108 2 Tonnage Registered at the Port, from the year 1837 to 1850, both inclusive Vessels. Tons Increase. Decrease. 1837 295 31,475 Tons. Tons. 1838 298 32,228 573 ... 1839 335 41,3 36 9,108 ... 184Q 355 45,632 4,296 ... 1841 375 49,626 3,994 ... 1842 375 51,278 1,652 ... 1843 359 49,402 ft* 1,876 1844 365 50,391 989 ... 1845 394 54,771 4,380 ... 1846 426 62,094 7,323 ... 1847 464 68,659 6,565 ... 1848 475 71,556 2,897 1849 467 75,441 3,885 1850 463 74,770 ... 671 Tonnage Registered at the Port, from the year 1837 to 1850, both inclusive Tonnage which entered the Port from the year 1837 to 1850, both inclusive. 1837 2,724 Vessels. 288,143 Tons. 1838 2,955 298,278 1839 3,350 354,542 1840 3,323 361,473 1841 3,378 357,902 1842 3,549 337,505 1843 t 3,370 363,038 1844 3,655 445,537 1845 3,888 492,560 1846 4*168 543,862 1847 4,213 538,523 1848 3,905 : 506,953 184a 4,080 555,021 185Q 4,490 624,113 Tonnage which entered the Port from the year 1837 to 1850, both inclusive.ANNUAL REPORT. The Harbour Commissioners have great satisfaction in laying before the ratepayers their statement of Accounts for the year just expired. At the termination of 1849, although the trade was increasing, yet the expenditure fully equalled the revenue, and the Commissioners looked forward with some anxiety to the result of the succeeding year, which it was considered would determine whether or not a moderate increase of taxation would be required. The present account shows that this will be unnecessary, and the previous anticipation that all the great improvements required could be effected without an increase of the burthens on trade has been confirmed. It is perhaps an unprecedented circumstance, and one demonstrative of the rapiii progress of this part of Ireland, that an outlay of more than four hundred thousand pounds sterling,. within about ten years, should be made, and accompanied by such an increased prosperity as to warrant th\s statement. In 1837 the charge on Ship and Cargo amounted to £13,012, the tonnage being 288,142 tons ; at the same scale of rates, the tonnage of the present year, 624,113 tons, would pay £28,192; but the actual sum levied has been only £27,161. As the great improvements embraced by Messrs Walker and Burgess* plans are now nearly completed the expenditure under this head has been greatly lessened. The following payments have been made for new works since last report, Mr. Dargan—final instalment of Contract for 2nd section of Victoria Channel . . . . ... ... £2157 7 7 Mr. J, C. Gregg—final instalment for front of Quays on Antrim side of the River . . • • • • • • • 2431 19 4 Carried forward . . . £4589 6 112 Brought forward . Cost of material dredged opposite same and used in their formation Wages, pavement blocks and materials used in forming those Quays Main for supplying Gas to Donegall'Quay and Lamps, &c. . Hargraves & Kennedy—balance of Contract for Swing Bridge across Clarendon Dock entrance ... Mr. J. C. Gregg—on account of Contracts for extension of Graving Dock Basin so as to form Clarendon Dock . . . New Sheds . . . .... ... . Coal Brokers' Offices and W eigh Bridge with Weigh Master's Office . Mr. Morton, balance of Contract for Patent Slip . . . . Patent Slip-—expended this year on auxiliary works. . . . . New Ship Building Yard . . . . . . . . . Channel Light Houses, &c. . . » . . . . . Timber Ponds . . . . ► . . , Queen's Island . . . . . . . . . . *£4589 6 2097 10 3287 0 244 18 11 5 7 2 464 14 5 2795 16 10 2654 3 10 492 17 4 93 19 10 392 3 367 7 73 3 $86 8 350 15 2 4 5 7 5 £18290 6 3 The liabilities under this head are the following Mr, J. C. Gregg-—balance due him for Sheds . Same—Contract for Wall of Clarendon Dock . , Messrs Smith & Ross—balance of Contract for Coal Brokers' Offices Same—for Balance of Shed Contract . «. . . Same—for New Shed on Donegall Quay opposite Custom House £640 0 1 5300 0 0 407 0 0 222 7 9 615 0 0 £7184 7 10 The purchase from the Cave Hill Railway Company, for which a find; ing has been taken preparatory to lodging the Money in Court amounts to . . . . . . During the year, under the advice of Mr. Walker, and after mature consideration, the Commissioners purchased all existing interests in the reclaimed ground of Mr. Robert Thomson, for the Sum of ... 4600 1 6 15562 10 0 £20162 11 6 At the commencement of last Session of Parliament it was found necessary to oppose an Irish Embankment Bill, of a very general character, brought into Parliament as a private specula, tion, and which Mr. Walker considered as likely to be most injurious to a Harbour such as Belfast. There were also circumstances which made it desirable to oppose some clauses of the Town Im- provement Bill. These cases caused an extra Expenditure of £325 13s. 2d.a The following is a statement of thefunded Debt of the Corporation^ Bearing Interest at Five per Cent. . . . . . £308630 0 0 Bearing Interest at Four per Cent. . . ... . . 29050 0 0 £337,700 0 0 The Commissioners have not omitted to direct their attention to a revision of the Rates on goods, ami their operation on the different branches of trade,- keeping in view thatfhey must be limited by the provisions and schedules of their Act. They however,- abstained from any im- portant change during last year, as they must be guided by an accurate knowledge of their Income and EXpewliturek A new arrangement has* been made of all the Charges and Rates .affecting Timber, which it is expected will prove satisfactory to that trade, and the question of making some relaxation of Dues in favour of goods merely coming to Belfast for transhipment will soon be under consideration. The Graving Dock and Slip charges have been very carefully considered by a committee who entex*ed fully into the subject and took advantage of information procured at Liverpool and other Ports ; it is believed that the amended regulations and Tables will be found to distribute this charge more equably than hitherto on the various classes of Vessels requiring repairs. The new Pilotage regulations, referred to in last year's Report, have been carried into effect, and a Committee meets weekly to examine Masters wishing for licenses to Pilot their own Vessels granting the same to such as give proofs of their capability and good conduct. The number of such licenses already taken out is not large, and no reduction ill' the number of Pilots has been found necessary. The Tonnage that entered the Port and cleared out during the year 1850 was 624,113 tons, being an increase of 69,092 tons on the previous year, and this increase is the more satisfactory, as it appears by reference to the accounts that the revenue derived from Rates on Goods has exceeded that of the previous year in a still higher ratio, the increase thereon being upwards of 151 percent., whilst that of Shipping is 121 per Cent., clearly demonstrating the substantial character of the trade. The present Revenue leaves a surplus, after defraying every expense of interest and mainten- ance, exhibiting the beneficial results of a moderate scale of taxation. The confidence that the growth of the trade of the Port will yield an addition of revenue to meet any demands for further4 extension of works, has induced the Commissioners to abstain from any change having the effect of increasing the Harbour burthens, although the great increase of accommodation would well warrant a large addition to the present Dues. The appointment of one Chief Harbour Master, with Deputies under him, has been found a useful measure, and since the lamented death of Captain M'Kibbin, who for so many years performed so faithfully the duties of that aud other offices, the business of Dock Master has been undertaken a»d very efficiently discharged by the Chief Harbour Master, by which a con- siderable saving is effected. The punctual sailing of Steamers is still rigorously enforced, and gives general satisfaction, particularly to passengers. During the year the general Board held 40 meetings,"and the number of Committee meetings has been 147; in all 187 meetings The accompanying Report of the Resident Engineer details the progress of the Improve- ments and notices the present state of the Harbour. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. Harbour Office, January, 1851.RESIDENT ENGINEER'S REPORT. ; . - j „ ^ >. Belfast, 7th January, 185'.. THE BELFAST HARBOUR. COMMISSIONERS. Gentxejuen, < v - 1 la adpprdance with tlie system estaitlislie^ some years ago, of reviewing at the period of your Annual Heport the state of the Harbour works, I have now to lay before you the following brief notice for the year just terminated. The Principal works that had been previously contracted for, and were proceeded with during the year just ended, were the Six Landing Sheds on Donegall Quay; the extension southward of the Graving Dock Basin, now called Clarendon Dock; the erection of the Coal Offices aftd Yards on Queen's Quay, together with a small Building, having a Weighing Ma- chine attached for the purpose of checking, the weight of Goals &c., discharged there. Two Contracts were entered into since my last Annual Report, and are now in progress ; one for the Stone retaining wall on the North Side of Clarendon Dock, which will complete that work, the other for a Landing Shed on Donegall Quay, opposite the Custom House. Cast Iron Pawls, or Mooring Posts, were put down on both sides of the lower section of Victoria Channel. In conformity with the provisions of your Bye-law on the subject, a Clock of a temporary description has been put up to regulate the Sailing of Steamers, on one of the Sheds on Done- gall Quay; and a Bell on the adjoining one to notice the hour for starting.2 The opinion of your Board being that Clarendon Dock might be rendered a more conve- nient place of discharge for Shipping of moderate burthen, engaged in the Foreign Trade, the Ship building yard lately occupied by Messrs Charles Connell & Sons has been altogether abolish- ed ; but for the convenience'of Trade, a new building yard has been formed on the north side of the Graving Dock property and is now occupied by that firm. In my former Annual Report I stated that the Wooden Piles of the Light House, on Holy- wood Bank, were in a dangerous state, and that some means must be adopted for their repair : they have since been cased and strengthened with Iron, an improvement by which the stability of the building appears to be much increased. From the period when the lighting of the navigation commenced, until the removal of the Guard Vessel to the Entrance of the Seal Channel, one of the principal lights, that marking the upper end of Garmoyle, was, by permission of the customs, exhibited from her; but latterly it has been found necessary to employ a Sloop. This, however, is only a temporary expedient, and preparations were made for building a small Light House near the place where the Vessel is moored, on which the green Light will be permanently placed; from the advanced state of the Season when this was finally determined on by you, it was deemed advisable to postpone the erection till Spring. For the same reason the building of the Light House and Care-taker's Cottage on the lower end of the east bank of Victoria Channel has been deferred. It is intend- ed, at the same time, to put up another small House for the light in the bight below the entrance to Victoria Channel. These Light Houses, it is anticipated, will not only cause a saving, but the lights will be more efficient, as it is found nearly imppssible to have them properly attended to by men in boats, particularly during a gale of wind when they are most required. The want of a proper place for wintering or unemployed Vessels to be laid up, apart from the ordinary traffic, appears to be generally felt, and will be still more so as the trade of the Port increases. A proposition for giving accommodation to Vessels so situated, will be laid before you so soon as the plans are perfected. Only one Steam Dredging machine was employed during the past year; the quantity of tons of material raised was therefore considerably less than in 1849, though nearly 50,000 tons beyond what it had amounted to in former years, previous to the building of the new Steam Dredge. The number of tons raised in 1849, was 304,534 tons, and in 1850 it was 189,497 tons.3 Both Steam Dredges are now unemployed, the one lately at work is laid up for repairs, and as the depth of water in the River in front of the Quays has been much increased I have not thought it advisable to set the other to work. A reference to your books shews a very satisfac- tory result under this head in the great quantity of mud raised with moderate expenditure; it is'also to be remarked that in this Expenditure is included the whole outlay in Gangway Planks, Bar- rows, and fittings, required for removing the entire quantity raised completely out of the influence of the tidal water, a very large part of it, indeed, has been used in the forming of the new Quays. During the present year I anticipate a still further reduction in the Dredging account, as little more will be required than to keep the present Docks and Quays to their present depth by the removal of the deposit which must be expected to take place, particularly in the tidal Docks, from a river that receives the entire Sewerage of a town which is yearly increasing so rapidly as Belfast. Both sections of Victoria Channel continue to maintain their depth in a very satisfactory manner. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most Obedient Servant, GEORGE SMITH.STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF BELFAST HARBOUR, FOR THE YEAR 1851; WITH €{jt Itepri tfjcrtmt, AND THE REPORT OF THE RESIDENT ENGINEER, FOB THE SAME PERIOD. JMfaSt; FEINTED FOE THE HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, BY W. fe G. AGNEW, ARTHUl^SQUARE. 1 8 5 2.'LIST OF ME M B E R S. $?onorarg Jlem&ers. THE MARQUIS OF DONEGALL, President. THE REV. LORD EDWARD CHICHESTER. THE MAYOR OF BELFAST. Vacate. On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1852. WILLIAM VALENTINE, Esq. ROBERT GRIM SHAW, E sq. JOHN HARRISON, Esq....... THOMAS^CORBITT, Esq. ROBERT BOYD, Esq. (Electetf Jftemta. Facatc. On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1853. NICHOLAS FITZSIMONS, Esq. WILLIAM PIRRIE, Esq. HUGH MAGILL, Esq. ^VALENTINE WHITLA, Esq. DAVID GRAINGER, Esq. Facate. On the First Thursday in the month of February, 1854. JAMES HERON, Esq. JOHN DUNN, Esq. GEORGE M'TEAR, Esq. JOHN CLARKE, Esq. SAMUEL THOMSON, Esq. * CHAIRMAN.STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE YEAK ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1851.1 Account of Stmtyt anH C5.vpc«iiitttr0 of fttims THE TEAR ENDIN( RECEIPTS. To Bates on Goods To Tonnage Dues :— Irish Sailing Coasters, Across Channel, Steamers Foreign Trade .... 5,0 M V^gels To Ballast :— Baud Co......... Do......... 18,809 Tons, at 2d. 242,830 „ 4d. 309,783 „ 4cL 84,716 „ 4d. ^,^08 'T^ng .... 60,417 Tons, at lOd..... 1,332 „ la. jV^Jiarf 1,487 „ is. ga. Do. 4PSft&8B> ... ,v;, To Quayage on Vessels—3d. on Foreign, l|d. on all others Wintering Ships, £57 7s. 8£d.; Canal Company, £76 15s.; Manure, £26 10s. lOd. K3r No chargelevied cm goods- To Graving Docks To Porterage, Storage, and Craneage of Timber, &c., at Prince's Dock,—yielding, gross To Harbour Passage Boats To Pilot Boat establxshment-being the contribution of the Pilots and Lighthouse to its support r'" r«u (m To Gangway Planks To Rents, Tenements, less Poor Rates and Repairs To Mooring Buoys To Patent Sjlip, in Operation To Weigh Bridge Forward to next page .... £ a. d. £ 8345 . a. 14 A. 8 113 8 .9 4047 3 4 5163 1 0 1411 18 8 10735 11 2 £517 7 6 66 12 0 86 14 10 i 2670 ; ' .esrr^sr , 14 4 4608 12 6 160 13 4854 6 633 9 11 1200 6 9 837 6 H 664 4 7 261 1 0 545 18 5 2 0 0 ..... 983 16 8 18 12 0 i £30759 2 0o3> s ■—-—.....................- -..............- • ■ — - ....... .......... • ■■— ______ .1 ___, -------1—- - - • £ \ a. d. £ s. d. EXPENDITURE. 1 By Expenses of working and maintaining Dredges, Barges, and Utensils for cleaning the Harbour .... .... •••• •••• .... .... " .... By Sundry Repairs connected with Harbour ■ j 196 16 0 By Bates on Goods, refunded 15 1 1 By Tonnage, refunded I 3 16 9 By Cost of Raising Ballast, Repairs op Lighters, &c. 1156 13 8 n.b.—-The above does not include any charge made for the use of the Implements, which are necessarily an l exclusively employed in] supplying the Ballast, nor» for their deterioration in vaiue by wear and tear. By Expenditure on Quays, viz.:— Police Rate—One Year, ending 31st December, 1851 .... 603 9 0 Wages and Repairs 442 14 2 1046 681 3 8 8 1 By Graving Docks—Fuel, Pumping, Repairs, &c..... .... .... .... .... 1 9 By Porterage, Salaries, and Expenses, at Prince's Dock 865 7 5 By Harbour Passage Boats,—Repairing and Painting Boats before giving tliem up to Contractors;—also, Wages for January, 43 18 6 By Pilot Boat Establishment, for Expenses 658 17 10$ By Gangway Planks, for Wages, and other Expenses .... 39 18 0 By Mooring Buoys IS 9 1 By Channel Buoys 71 16 3 85 5 4 By Incidental Expenses—Office Rent, Taxes, Coals, Insurance, &c., &c. 485 15 8 By Lighting Harbour—Oil, Wages, and Lamps 448 9 3 By Queen's Island—Pleasure Ground ' \ 75 17 0 By Stationery, Printing, Advertising, &c..... &$7 \ 1 3 By Harbour Police and their Clothing \ 437 \ 1 \ l\ 8 By Patent Slip,—Working Expenses I _... . 196 8 | l Forward to next page .... | £8120 i 15 1 | in2 conttmtattott of Account of Kempt a*tr or TIE TEUI ENDING RECEIPTS. To Amount brought forward from last page 30759 3C759tfie iiclfast ffcAvbour a*t, is**, fov 2 31st DECEBBE&, 1811. EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. £ s. d. By Amount brought forward from last page, .... 8120 15 "i By Election Expenses, 1851 1 11 8 By Salaries :— Edmund Getty, Secretary ... 400 0 0 Thomas Price, Accountant 120 0 0 William E. Young, Clerk .... 175 0 0 George M'Clean " 80 0 0 William M'Donald " 47 10 0 Alexander M'Donald and Henry M'Cord, Apprentices..... \ 55 0 0 William Hartley, Auditor .... 60 0 0 Joseph Calvert, Collector of Rates at Whitehouse 10 0 0 947 10 0 Washington Pirrie, Harbour Master and Dock Master,—resigned, 111 0 9 John Gowan, his successor, .... .... .... .... .... .... j 29 3 4 George Montgomery, Assistant Harbour Master 75 0 0 Patrick M'Bride, Ditto 75 0 0 Alexander Craig, Ditto 65 5 3 355 9 By Annuities :— 4 William Savage, Superannuated Harbour Master 50 0 0 Thomas Acheson, Superannuated Pilot 6 0 0 Margaret Benson and Elizabeth M'Greevy, Pilots' Widows 20 0 0 Mary Graham and E. Patterson .... ditto .... 8 0 0 84 17789 0 17 0 5 By Interest on Bonds, Treasurer's Account, &c. Balance, being excess of Income in the year ending 31st December, 1851, over ordinary Expenditure and Interest .... 27299 3459 4 17 4* n £30759 2 1 03 account of all jbumiEt «t« Hoatt/or as tittcomcvbt) dtt ervettttttire me'&m* ftttftta RECEIPTS. £ s. d. £ s. d. 'To Nett surplus Income over Expenditure, for the year ending 31st Dec. 1851, per preceding*} Statement .... .... .... .... .... .... .... J 8459 17 n To Received on loan in 1851, at 4 per cent, interest .... 10311 4 7 To Received from Town Council, due by them per last account .... 295 1 0 To Received from Ulster Canal Company, on account of old balance 79 10 8 To Received from Thompsons and Kirwan, due by them per last account 55 0 0 To Received from Charles Connell & Sons ditto ditto 148 s H To Police Rate charged, not yet paid 603 9 0 14952 6 5 To Oeorge T. Mitchell, Treasurer, in advance 31st Dec. 1851 31612 10 » 9 I do hereby certify that I have examined and compared the whole of the foregoing Account ' with the Boohs and Vouchers of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and that the several Sums therein stated agree with same. WILLIAM HARTLEY, Auditob to the said Commissioners. - i 46564 17 2 1Belfast ^arbour Ommt5suo»tr&, unlm $Mrfcottr act, i847,ait& Tie gear ©it&ws 3i«st Smwifitr. issi. EXPENDITURE. Balance due to Treasurer per last account New Works, paid in 1851, viz.-• Smith & Ross—On Account of balance due them for Sheds Ditto Amount of Contract for Shed next Custom House James C. Gregg—Balance due him for Sheds Wages and Materials for Sheds, additional James C. Gregg—On Account of Contract for building stone Wall, at Clarendon Dock Wages and Materials for same, additional Smith & Ross—Balance of Contract for Coal Exchange and extra work .... Wages and Materials for same, additional James C. Gregg—Amount of Contract for Ship-building Yard, on Queen's Island Wages and Materials for same, additional William Watson—Amount of Contract for building Cottages on Queen's Island Wages and Materials for same, additional Ship-building Yard at Graving Dock,—Wages and Materials Wages and Materials used in forming Antrim Quay, Ditto ditto „ Queen's Quay .... .. . Ditto,—Channel Lighthouses and Cottage Ditto,—used in converting the Milewater River into a temporary Timber Pond Ditto,—used in improving Graving Dock and Ritchie's Dock property Ditto,—used in improving Queen's Island, as property J. C. Gregg—for Stones (on hands) .... Proportion of Consulting Engineer's costs, charged to Victoria Channel Cranes .... Expenses of Engineer's Office, and Stamps for Bonds .... By Property Purchased, viz.:— Finding for Cave Hill Railway Company, with Interest Mr. Robert Thomson's reclaimed ground Solicitor's and Consulting Engineer's Costs, &c. ' Machines and Implements J. Wilson, Contractor—to be refunded Rents Outstanding—credited in account y Town Council, due them 31st December 1850, since paid y Balance of Cash on Hand Belfast, 31§« December, 1851. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. 200 601 640 73 4985 44 510 404 657 234 206 24 66 287L 441 740 62 5 204 115 270 1 670 4600 15562 626 0 19 0 11 0 0 7 16 12 15 15 11 17 15 4 12 13 14 9 17 17 6 5 1 10 12 d. 0 10 1 5 0 2 2 0 6 4 3 10 9 2 11 5 5 0 8 0 10 0 0 10988 14035 20789 5 2 55 570 118 8. 14 d. 46564 4 0 8 5 17 5 17 4 ©f.__THE BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONEF" r Being a Statement of Debts and Asse * DEBTS, £ 8. d. £ 8. < ( To Bond Loans at five per cent 808650 0 0 To Do., at four per cent .. •. 89361 4 7 348011 4 7 To George T. Mitchell, Treasurer, due him .. -. •. 31612 10 9 To Town Council, for one year's Police Rate «• 603 9 0 To Smith and Ross, Balance due them for Sheds 22 7 9 To James C. Gregg, Do, due him for Clarendon Dock Wall . ♦ 315 0 0 380564 12 1 Balance, being Surplus Assets in favour of Commissioners 125748 0 0 I do hereby certify that I have examined and cvmpared the whole of the foregoing Ac- count with the Boohs and Vouchers of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and that the several Sums therein stated agree with same. * WILLIAM HARTLEY, Auditor to the said Commissioners. i 506312 12 1t1 .BALANCE SHEET. ding 31st December, 1851. €t By ASSETS. Graving Dock Property, and adjoining Lands and Premises, valued at ' Quays, Docks and other Properties, purchased from various individuals Victoria Channel, being the Sum expended in the formation thereof ... New Quays, including £18,581 14s. 9d., cost of Deepening in front By Extension, &c., Prince's Dock Cost By Patent Slip and auxiliary works Cost By Coal Exchange ... ... Cost By Sheds ... ... ... Cost By Queen's Island, as Property, expended thereon By Clarendon Dock, in progress •. By Cottages on Queen's Island .... Cost By Ship Building yard at Graving Dock By Do on Queen's Island .. By Engineering, Stamps. Wear and Tear of Machines, &c. Total Expended under Acts of 1837 and 1847 By Lighthouses, Buoys* and Beacons ,,. Cost By Timber Ponds ... ### Cost ByTideGuage ... ... _ Cost By Cranes ... ... _ Cost By Improvement of Graving Dock and Ritchie's Dock Property, in progress Total Cost of Works of General Improvement, not specified in the Acts ^ Steam Dredges, Machines, Scows, &c., present reduced valuation y Passage Boats ... ... Value of Six By Materials ... ... on hands By Donegall v Gregg, costs to be refunded By Do. v Dunbar Do. ' J. Wilson, due by him By Ulster Canal Company, due by them .By John Hanna, due by him By Patrick Lindsay Do. ,. B; y Charles Connell & Sons, due by them B iy Cash in hands .. Belfast, 31s< December, 1851. EDMUND GETTY, Secretary. £ 183711 85467 108713 11385 16847 1322 6202 555 10339 £31 434 892 9406 2866 3963 41 97 5 12767 100 428 187 157 2 13 3 3 49 118 16 9 3 12 6 3 2 5 17 7 5 7 3 5 8 15 6 14 4 3 8 10 0 0 5 5 d. 1 0 1 1 10 4* 1 10 10 0 0 H 0 0 11 5 5 4 0 0J 8* 50000 435508 s. d. 18 m 6974 13295 71 533 506312 17 10 12Tonnage Registered at the Port, from, the year 1837 to 1851, both inclusive. Vessels. Tote; Increase. Decrease. 1837 295 31,475 Tons* Tons, 1838 298 32,228 573 1839 335 41,336 9,108 ... 1840 355 45,632 4,296 1841 375 49,626 3,994 1842 375 51,278 1,652 1843 359 49,402 1,876 1844 365 50,391 ' 4 989 ' 1845 394 54,771 4,380 • 1846 426 62,094 7,323 1847 464 68,659 6,565 1848 475 71,556 2,897 1849 467 75,441 OO OO CO 1850 463 74,770 671 1851 461 76,940 2,170 Tonnage Registered at the Port, from, the year 1837 to 1851, both inclusive. Tonnage which entered the Port from the year 1837 to 1851, both inclusive. 1837 2,724 Vessels. 288,143 Tons. 1838 2,955 •' 298,278 * 1839 3,350 354,542 1840 3,323 361,473 1841 3,378 357,902 1842 3,549 337,505 1843 3,370 363,038 1844 3,655 445,537 1845 3,888 492,560 1846 4,168 543,862 1847 4,2x3 538,523 1848 3,905 506,953 1849 4,080 555,021 1850 4,490 624,113 1851 5,016 650,938 Tonnage which entered the Port from the year 1837 to 1851, both inclusive.ANNUAL REPORT The year just expired maybe considered an important epoch in the history of this Harbour, as having witnessed the completion of the extensive purchases and improvements commenced in 1839—under circumstances of difficulty, and doubts as to the capability of carrying into execution works so long delayed—but on which the future prosperity of an important community in a great measure depended. Previous .to acquiring.the rights of property, in the Quays, a.very considerable portion of the contributions of the trade was to the former proprietors. When the Commissioners became possessed of their rights, and engaged in works of a magnitude, the expense of which might naturally be expected to affect materially the future taxation of the Port, they deemed it judicious to investigate strictly the operation of every branch of the revenue whether, from that portion they had lately acquired or that which had been previously under their own control; for they were fully aware of the danger of an outlay that might eventuate in a burthensome increase of taxr tion. It was anticipated that an increase would become necessary, but the Commissioners determined it should not take place, at least, until they were enabled to afford an equivalent in improved accommodation; in revising the old scale of charges therefore, some years ago, the object was not to add to the income, but merely to render it in the least degree burthen- some to the trade. Acting on this view, irarious important changes were made, and a new scale adopted, calculated to produce in the total a sum equal to the aggregate amount yielded by the ancient system, on a similar extent of Tonnage.The improvements were proceeded with; about £450,000 have been expended; the scale of Dues above referred to as adopted, instead of being increased, has been in several instances diminished; yet so rapidly has the growth of the trade kept pace with the facilities afforded by the improvements, that^it furnishes not only means to defray all the ordinary Expenditure of the Port—all interest on the outlay in improvements and purchases—but leaves a steadily increas- ing surplus revenue. The apprehension therefore of heavy taxation is now at an end, and any addition to the scale has ceased to be a question of necessity. The following are the payments for new works since last report, viz :— Mr. J. C. Gregg—balance of Shed Contract .... Same—Contract for Wall of Clarendon Dock Messrs Smith