The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-09-04 00:00:00

Sept. 4, 1349. TOWN COUNCIL ISIRE'fINGg. to 4 ' eo Bl/e( t';; Council was held on Wednesday wateasider the report of the Special Committee on the ou r r d Question, the chief features of which we gave in A a. .1 %eiet me mo rial to the Council from the Liverpool Guardian not w as then read. It was to the effect that they were betle'2lllinced by the report of the special committee, and b ee „,ing that the capabilities of the local supply had not repourttested, they prayed the Council not to confirm the ;cat sim ilar memorial was presented and read troth the &hr,al,Al. nfederati pn. fir, OR then called upon Mr. HOLT, on which ii-l a t ie ,'', l Aanonn said he rose to a point of order. He 104 0 to ask the Town-clerk whether, according to the 4nt Li e clause of the sth and 6th Victoria, section 2, those Speak me n who were mortgagees on the water estate could ha ve _or vote on this r eport, as they seemed to him to To pecuniary interest. cl e ,, A !.rowx-cLEux replied, that he did not think the th at °f th e ac t of parl i ament re f erre d t o a ppli e d i n th e th at et the report before the Council, and was of opinion let )t , an Y member of th e C o uncil, though he might have to e ;:lneY on the wa t er ac count, was perfectly at liberty coruiliand vote on the question. of f eeii uerable discussion took place, and some warn:th , ir Was exhibited, after which he di d our rose to move the adoption of the report, and da re d !') under the conviction that, after having consi he could, question as patiently and as dispassionately as elt e ,, he had come to the conclusion that there was no did '" n ative but to go on with the Rivington scheme. He th e co e t consider that they were in a position, considering tt° • Il tracts which had been entered into, and the re , e sibilities of the Council, which had been incurred on the t lt e sentations of the town at large, now to abandon kith:ll4ton scheme. As he had said before, it was frok ; e u on all hands that more water must be obtained grl° source or other—that a very large increased lOp p i .3' Must be obtained for sanatory purposes, and for lu g , Ying the inhabitants, which were constantly increas beenalso fo r scavenging. During . the time he had Tea rs u i. laverpool. which was a period of forty - two the ti tu e Population had wonderfully increased. At an d no he came to t h e t own th e p o pulation was 90,000, pi.op o ° r4 , Y it Was 400,000, and still increasing in a greater He therefore said that no scheme . would oop p plect that did not involve a consideration for thea2Pg that increase. The scheme that was before ti t) 'ld so, for it made provision for supplying a popula -11 of 800 Oat , 00 souls, and this provision was to be made ernaitexPense of £450,000 which did seem to which a very hlr s um as compared with the £600,000 they already had to pay for. 4,000,000 gallons per day. Molttto then went into the particulars of the informs- Pe rso which the committee had received from different tork, ls as to the capabilities of the Rivington and other t ilate" and afterwards proceeded to allude to the esti ley 8 for the Rivington works as supplied by Mr. Hawks te a nd Messrs. Simpson and Newlands. As to the th ere Y of the bondholders, it did appear to him that tni N 9 01 11 d be no subject that could be brought before a !hat„ e c i Pal body which was of such great importance as Irep,' a Plentiful supply of water. It was of the utmost ttleance to every member of the community; it was o n t b ut right and just that the security for money lent he recos works should be lent on the secur ity of the far as r ate estate. He therefore was of opinion that, as to the bondholders were concerned, there was nothing fe ar ; and he did not consider it necessarto refer ti e rth er to th at po i nt. H e wou ld now sa y a few words on ;p p , i 'lllestion of compensation. Compensation always btlt ' i h eu ,,When private rights and interests were affected, tor ri j,' Rivington scheme it seemed to him that the koC e e nsations, as compared with other projects, were work rat e ; indeed, as compared with the Manchester ati o s , they were very light ; and what wak the compen after all ? Why it was water for water, In Bolton t ot I ti n .other places no parties had appealed, and he did 11 0 4' 1 ,1_ 11 k they would do so in the present instance. Mr. torell detailed the particulars of a visit of the special . eati to Rivington Pike, and expressed himself od with the quality of the water. They saw it oed he out of the fissures as limpid and as pure as crystal, fro ra C.,,Was convinced that the great body of the water furth. 4 ivington was of the same quality. After some kh e „,s' r general remarks, Mr. H. said that if the Rivington was not now carried out, the public would be cla -4°ll 1 • 11 /ka L 8 Y calling out for it in ten or twenty years; but . it tie i l l s opinion that they could not wait until that time. o t a t z e ir s en concludednju by saying that he had nothing more to "an to core the Council to adopt the Rivington slr BELT.the,BELT.seconded the motion, and gave a summary of ,tbesons which induced him to change his views on lirieence sch new eme act . Twere £ he enga 2o gement o,ooo, and s of the Corporation NL not more than or £60,000 of that amount could be redeemed by elit e `"auge of policy. Seeing so large a sum at stake, he ar i d t t e,d anxiously into the merits of the Rivington scheme; . Oz ia:t u e o r result was, that he must give his unqualified Of "as to the power of the district to yield the quantity required of it ; and all the reports upon its e 01 „:' convinced him that it would be found in practice e ta ,, Actionable. (Hear, hear.) Finding this to be the ie p ,he Cid not enter with minuteness into the sandstone thetl• But assuming the most favourable view, in itself ae Of would be £300,000, which, added to the forfeiture th e other, would leave nothing in point of economy to te the for. Parliament, he thought, would not toal the Pike act. Government would say, " You may a g,,„ e Your Council as often as you like in Liverpool, but Pl at rnnot change our legislation here." (Hear, and ap- Illisi h se *) He looked at the question, too, as a man of ,eli k Z t es, and felt unwilling to protract a struggle which ter Involve innocent parties. The contracts ought to ealt with in a spirit of honour and integrity ; and all t e - ,, s e reasons induced him to join the majority of the M ans it in recommending the course submitted. (Ap thi,\l". Bennett, in a long speech, went into the history of 44 Ater question, and combatted the arguments of Mr. to l j s r • Alderman PROCTER rose to move an amendment htg :e Proposal of Mr. Holt, and in doing so expressed et ie 'a,rPrise that Messrs. Holt and Bell had found out in le 4d v isit what it had taken Messrs. Simpson and New ebais, Mouths to accomplish. Mr. P. then proceeded to ti oi ,!se the committee's report, and denied the conclu the to which the committee had come as to the cost of we il . "•,, , vington works ; and after showing that the works ipt,," l cost upwards of £627,000, asked the Council how the hot done upon the borrowed money was to be paid. It could '401,12 done except by increasing the rates. The bond of On the corporate estate would appreci a te that part report which recommended the borrowing of more th t eY, and h e f anc i e d would be looking closely after th e . " When they went to parliament. He then said that the t t oPosal which the old Highway Board had made was vre e st to carry out for an efficient supply of water. Mr. 1 4 t c ter then read his amendment, which we gave in our I ..kr 'vs '4-ENDERso)r, as a member of the special commit itu.,',leisconded Mr. Procter's amendment. Mr. H. went I, 4 llei u ; e capabilities of the local supply and the increased 1 ,„ • - "t,Y which might be obtained from it, and concluded Ot b , - " l lciemning the proposal to expend such an amount the;,. °ll eY as was involved in the Rivington scheme, on ta °•elind that it was not necessary, and that the e estate ought not to be saddled with paying the lest of it. cokl.,Alderman HORSFALL, as a member of the special litie a "",,tttee as well, thought Mr. Holt had gone into the Ithiaten and the report in a very full and able manner, !so - ,;', A r ePort had been ably seconded b 3 Mr. Bell. He Iler n :"ed that Mr. Procter had cast a sneer at those gen vay.`c, in stating that their conversion was the work of a they tend the whole time he had associated with them !, 1 1e t "ad exhibited the most anxious desire to arrive at 'as ru th, „„ and the truth only. He himself had gone into :4-"Mmittee without any predilections whatever in fa 'of either one scheme or the other • for he, • noad d been anxious to arrive at the truth, and 1 ,,t as firmly convinced of the propriety of going AsOn;:n the Rivington scheme as were those two .4 .°4 'Ceti. He would ask why they referred the ques- Pre ""„ a committee unless that committee were to .reet',. ll opinion ? He did not agree with Mr. t ,_'gth 1 ° 1 ; M finding fault with the report ; but he agreed h nie„,gn hi blaming the Council, or rather the various tb who voted for one thing to-day and another e ;eh t - t e ' rcl vv• Mr. Procter had also . spoken of the folly of a eeph:PaYers, so that all came in for a share of his • el - I ,"g condemnation. Mr. Bennett had alluded to ,svPo r rt thrown upon the Council by . hurrying the ,‘',ltt ee * Nothing was further from the wish of the com re ap e ' . had Mr. Bennett, or Mr. Harbord come before e veal committee, and stated that the report should meet s hands of the committee at least ten days before ev col iee t ti l lig of Council, nothing should hveindu oe ce r d ta l i i n ir t and JO a shorter . period. ._ M r . P r o c t or o 3, 10 .‘ it was as an individual member f the council , y th e " stated that the report should be ten days be ent itt gi hands of the Council; but other opinions had t , s ' i en that they had been tardy, and they were eLsely A , A , ' task at the last Council for being too slow. ; O A tieet"• ° ,. ll , _id he have consented to postponement at the Harbord or Mr. Bennett, to whom, the one t h!terean and the other as deputy chairman of the e ted pnreittee, due deference was due ; for though he tit t ich at t m al them on this subject, they had both devoted lea to ;Mum the subject, who afte r being requested to I tt resi r ,„, l a office as chairman of the committee, persisted .0141AereausIng. Mr. Procter had said, go to Green-lane, a pply was obtained before, and try it again. In ed O t to this was the opinion of Mr. Newlands, ex tit the be the committee, that if they got their water - r ed sandstone rock, they would find the cost of t oo e l i t tp l pea ti g more • •• (H bea r.) than going to Rivington. . ear,_ le„ cl aw " to every member of the committee, for he DeNewland's words, whether he did not say k ti mrs, ~`• Henderson here remarked, " After 20 or 30 re l tle so i tn The speaker proceeded to say that Mr. Procter Ite t , to e remarks on the discrepancy in Mr. Hawksley's its o et ,Voth regard to the filter beds, and that £60,000 (111 1 .g‘eri into his calculation of £458,000 or £480,000. Noarilh„porsfall) had no doubt that he was right; he Ibli t t ild be othe matter, but thought at the same time it toi! , to b TII Y right, in calculating Mr. Hawksley's esti tekeave stated all the case. There would be £19,000 of eh wo la rom the estimate for Colonel Tempest's land, 1,1 10 •t2/, 0 * nOt be required, and there was also a saving ilet,o ,hot4 rido t eest i t : ar , i ti contract purposes, not required. He c t g b h t, in stating a case of that kind, to state e same time, pro and con. on the estimate. 0o tint w h ad also expressed an opinion that the water tieq,-gnild not justify such an outlay of the public ‘th' o l , aoi es ' o ll taking the calculation made by the water of the future increase of the population, the • eon se Water would soon be required, and there Itat,'rati on Inently be an in creas e o f rental. Resides the 44 I Lot contemplate any dividend, as the old 3 1 4`,trtee did, but only the mere matter of interest, 41 4 w 0 ,, 13 , doubt but that in a short •S - nale the water `Lio be fully adequate to pay the interest on A z..•,iciai the Itivington outlay. He hoped the committee would do full justice to Mr. Newlands, and he himself moved that the committee should recommend a certain salary tO that gentleman ; but he was over-ruled. He did not agree with Mr. Bennett that Mr. N. would spurn such a re commendation made by the committee. Mr. Bennett quoted from the report of the commissioners that there seemed no reason to doubt that a quantity of water might be obtained on the spot. What did those commissioners say further ? They received no evidence on the subject (hear, hear), and those very c ommissioners' report, to which Mr. Bennett alluded, was before the committee of the Houst3 of Commons, and they received evidence, and they said there was not sufficient. (Hear, hear.) The committee of the House of Commons, who beard evi dence, and had the commissioners' report, came to a different conclusion. Mr. Bennett had further found fault with Mr. Holt for speaking of forty years' experience in Liverpool, and stated something about 800,000 gallons, or that the supply from Rivington was only for twenty years. But if Mr. Bennett bad looked a little further iato the report he would have found that there were several streams, the Douglas and others, which could be diverted into their reservoir, and increase the supply if necessary. (Hear. hear.) Mr. Bennett further spoke of Mr. Eaton. He (Mr. H.) had accompanied them in the review they had made of Rivington, and a more intelligent man he had never met with. He had the greatest confidence in the report made by such a man. He was prepared to say that the work could be fully accomplished within the estimate. Mr. Hawksley stated before in that Council that he was prepared with contractors, who were prepared to contract within the amount specified. It was as de cidedly a matter of business as any thing could be, and he could not tell how a man of business could get over a statement like that, unless he was prepared to dispute Mr. Hawksley's word altogether. (Hear.) A great deal had been said about the quality of the water. There were only two tests; the one a chemi cal analysis, the other the natural test of taste. The committee went over to the district and tasted for them selves. They had before them the evidence of scientific men, who had analysed the water, and they (the com mittee) came to the conclusion that it was in every respect satisfactory •, and he never wished to drink better water in his life. (Hear.) It was not necessary -to say more with reference to salt water. He had at first himself approved of it, but the objections since stated had changed his opi nion. Then objections had been taken to giving the se curity of the corporate estate, which he considered absurd. It was ridiculous to suppose that the bondholders of the corporation would thereby be endangered. What was the debt ? Only three years' income of the corporate estate ! The Council had power to give the bondholders security by a mortgage upon the estate, and if they claimed to go for an act, they were bound as honest and honourable men to do so. He concluded by condemning those who had made this water question a personal matter, and he could sympathize with those who had written and spoken on the subject. He knew the difficulty with which Mr. Holt, in submitting his proposition had to contend, to give to each party the appearance of feeling. He did ask gentlemen to think of the best interests of the town — to throw overboard every personal and private considera tion, and to adopt the report which bad—he spoke it as an honest man, had the best consideration of the commit tee, without partiality one way or the other—he asked them to adopt the report, feeling perfectly satisfied in doing so they would consult the best interests of this town, they would consult its sanitary condition, and they would do justice to their own financial position. Mr. HARBORD replied : Mr. Horsfall had told the Council that he entered the committee without a predilec tion ; but if that were really so, he (Mr. Harbord) wished to ask how it was that, on all occasions, Mr. Horsfall was voting for the Rivington Pike scheme, and bad found fault with Mr. Procter for saying that nothing had been done relative to the appointment of Mr. Newlands. The special committee had only adopted the recommendation which had been again and again laid before the Council, and which, if adopted by them when first offered, would have saved the water account several thousand pounds. Mr. Horsfall had, in a very Jesuitical manner, stated that as the population increased, the cost of pumping would be more expensive than a surface supply, and that the income from the water rents then would be able to pay the expenses ; and this assertion was not contradicted by any gentleman in the room. He (Mr. Harbord) met it by a direct negative ; the income would not pay the expenses. As regarded the taste of water, he asserted that the Rivington water would have to act the part of scavenger to the whole district before it came to Liverpool ; and, as to procuring money, that might be done for a considera tion to some bankers and capitalists, on a mortgage of the corporate estate ; but he contended, before such a thing as this was done, the burgesses should be consulted, a public meeting should be held, and he asserted that if the burgesses had half the sense and determination for which he gave them credit, they would defeat any attempt that might be made to obtain an act of parliament to make the borrowing of money legal. Mr. Harbord then referred to the course which he pursued on the Water Committee, and said he was pround of what he had done; and he de fied that gentleman to put his finger on any act which he had done and say it was wrong, or dishonest, or unworthy of that great corporation.—(Cries of " hear, hear.") He then referred to the arguments of Mr. Bell, and adminis tered a severe eastigation to that gentleman for his recent change of opinion. He then entered upon a minute analysis of Mr. Holt's speech, which lie treated in a jocular style, and afterwards commented paragraph by paragraph on the report. Towards the conclusion of his address, he appealed to the Council to postpone the con sideration of the report to allow time for expression of public opinion, and stated, in the event of an effort being made to carry the report to-day, he would move amend ment after amendment until he forced them to desist. The debate was then adjourned to Friday. The adjourned meeting was held on Friday. There was only a thin attendance. Mr. BENNETT was allowed to correct a statement in his speech which appeared in the Liverpool Times. It was there stated that Mr. Hawksley, when questioned before the committee, said he could supply 18,000,000 of gallons of water for £420,000. It should have been 8,000,000 of gallons. The debate was then resumed by Mr. MANN, who observed that the question now resolved itself into whether they should proceed or abandon the Rivington Pike scheme, and, for his own part, he would give his vote in favour of proceeding. It was a scheme for which they had obtained an act, and certain works being commenced, it required the greatest consideration before they adopted any course contrary to that pointed out by the act of parliament. It was admitted that there was not a sufficient supply of water for the town, and that an additional supply was required ; the only question was, where it could be best obtained. A great deal was said as to the rental from the water supply, but he was not inclined to take so gloomy a view of the matter as some gentlemen had done. He could have wished the report had entered more minutely into the financial statements. It appeared that the water income, according to what was stated in the report by the treasurer, was £85,000 for the eighteen months, which would be equal to £57,000 per annum. Assuming the town would increase in the same proportion that it had done, the income would be, in 1852, by the time the Rivington scheme was expected to be com pleted, something like £66,000. Deducting £20,000 for the working expenses, left £46.000, and, adding the penny rate for watering the streets, the total income would be about £50,000. After referring to the interest to be paid out of the money borrowed, he came to the conclusion that there would be sufficient to meet all requirements, and more than that, as the town went on increasing. Tn con clusion, he considered that, under all the circumstances, the council would at present have to pay as much for any other scheme as the Pike scheme, and he would support the report of the special committee. Mr. SAMUEL HOLME, after alluding to the unfounded statements which, he said. had been put forth in the town in reference to the water question, considered that some thing was due to those who had not had the truth put before them. A great deal was said as to parties being interested in forwarding a measure which was called for by imperative necessity, and which would be one of the greatest boons ever conferred on the inhabitants of this locality—whether they were rich or poor. He thought the question ought to be considered on its merits, and not in the way it now was being made to a great extent— s party question, and a popular cry for electioneering purposes. He thought it was right the public should know how they had been urged on in the first instance by many of the burgesses and by a portion of the press ; and was proceeding to read extracts on the water question from the Liverpool Mercury, showing that, although the editors of that paper now opposed the Pike scheme, they were at one time in favour of it, when The MAYOR said he could not allow him to go into the subject as to anything that had been said in the news papers. Mr. HOLME said he had beard a great deal of public meetings ; but he would call one himself of the electors of his ward, and make known that which he was prevented from doing, in council. He went into the origin of the Pike scheme, justifying the statements made by Mr. Hawksley, which, as regarded the yield of the water from the red sand stone, were fully borne out by the evidence of Messrs Kennedy and Macgregor. The estimate was given by Mr. Hawksley at 4,039,000 gallons, while those gentlemen set it down at about 4,100,000 gallons. He believed he was also correct as to the estimated cost of the works, notwithstanding what had been said by Messrs. Simpson and Newlands. He denied Mr. Bennett's state ment, that there was any fear from a fracture of the pipes occasioned by pressure. He knew for a fact, which could be ascertained by scientific culculation, that the pipe allu ded to by Mr. Bennett would sustain equal to a column of 500 feet vertical. As to the decay of the pipes by oxidiza tion, it was perfectly ridiculous, when they were properly embedded in the ground. After replying to some other objections as to the compensation to the mill-owners, the great liabilities in which the corporation would involve themselves, &c., he urged the council to adopt the report of the committee, for, if they plunged themselves into a parliamentary contest, they could scarcely contemplate the result, or estimate the cost. As to the argument that they were, by carrying out the Pike scheme, alienating the public funds, he denied it, and contended, that the appli cation of the corporate funds for the public benefit was no alienation. After all that had been said, the purchase of the old compan;es was the great difficulty they had had to contend with ; and if that had not arisen he believed that in a few years the inhabitants would have been in such a position as to have water for nothing. (Hear, hear.) Even from the out-townships a considerable amount would be realized ; there were about 4,753 houses producing a sum of £133,000, and, at a rate of one shilling in the pound, they would produce an addition to the water revenue of . £6, 670 A friend of his in Parliament had stated , during a conversation as to the probability of getting the water act repealed, that the council might just as well ask for. a re-enactment of the corn law.. (Hear, 'Tn..) A great deal was said b eing the influence of public opinion, and the burgesses being opposed to the scheme, but . he had no objections to half-a-dozen public meetings being . called,. in order thatthe facts might be fully before the mhabi— tants : and no doubt the time would cdrilB when they would see that the course adopted by certain gentlentett was rather for some specific purpose than for the general good,—when those gentlemen would be cast off, and no more allowed to darken the council chamber. Hear, hear.) After paying a high compliment to Mr. Bell, who, he said, had done himself honour, and who, he had little doubt, would. in two years, be in request by a dozen wards, to stand as their representative, he called upon the council to adopt the report of the eetamittee. Mr. PARKER, in a speech replete with consicietiible humour, replied to some of the statements of Mr. Holme, whom he characterised as the Leo of the Council. He would take the mighty man first ;—he would not go to the outworks but attack the fortress itself, and then he thought the outworks would give way and a victory might be obtained. (Laughter.) Mr. Holme, whom he would call the great luminary, was to make everything as bright as noonday, and, added Mr. Parker, "let light into you, gentlemen." (Renewed laughter.) He wished to make extracts from a paper called the Liverpool Mercury, a respectable paper no doubt,—one which he (Mr. Parker) respected as much as he did any other paper. (Laughter.) Mr. Holme ought to have been the last man to quote from newspapers, seeing that he had at times figured there so conspicuously, and he (Mr. Parker) would like to go over the files of papers and read about the various bitter pills that gentleman had swallowed. Mr. Parker then proceeded to analyse many of the statements which had been put forth in the first instance by the advocates of the Pike scheme, when it was said that not one farthing of expense would be thrown on the inhabitants—a state ment which was subsequently found out to be a mere fallacy. After some general remarks, to the effect that the Pike scheme was not called for either by the necessity of the case, or by the burgesses, and that there was plenty of water under the town of a better quality than could be obtained anywhere else, he drew a kind of dramatic pic ture, in which the chairman of the special committee and Mr. Bell figured as the principal heroes, the scene being laid in one of the hills of the Pike district. The allusion caused much amusement to the members of the Council, and elicited roars of laughter. He condemned the report as unsatisfactory, and contended that under any circum stances they must go to Parliament; and, if they did so, it was necessary that an alteration should be made in the charge for water to the shipping interest. It was an in justice that 100 per cent, should be given in favour of the shipping, and that, too, by act of parliament. (Hear.) He condemned the Rivington water as dirty, muddy stuff, and as an instance of the superiority of the Liverpool water, mentioned that Mr. Bent, who was a brewer in Johnson-street, brewed from his own water, obtained from his own well in the sandstone rock, the best ale in Liverpool. (Laughter.) "It is," continued Mr. Parker, the best; it is proverbial—(renewed laughter)—and, if you will go to Mr. Bent's brewery, you shall taste his ale, and I will be bound to say the facts will bear me out. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. BENT.—You deserve a barrel for that. (Laughter.) , Mr. PARKER made some further remarks in opposition to the arguments advanced by various speakers on the op posite side, and concluded by giving his support to Mr. Procter's amendment. Mr. TINNE supported the adoption of the report, and in doing so justified the course pursued by the committee, who were entitled to credit for the consideration they had given to the subject, and the conclusions they had arrived at. The report contained everything that was required in reference to the subject before them, and supplied ade quate information to the members of the council. It was quite unnecessary that they should have published the whole of the evidence on the subject of the water sup ply, especially when the great expense entailed on the corporation by so doing was considered. Mr. Tinne then mentioned the names of the gentlemen who had in the first instance taken considerable interest in the Rivington scheme; amongst these were Messrs. Rathbone, Lace, Earle, Holme, Horsfall, G. W. Lawrence, Holt, and Cooper, the latter being as much interested in property as any person in that council. Mr. HARBORD said that bricks did not always mean brains. • This led to some altercation. .. _ _ Mr. TINNE, after explaining that it was not the inten tion of Mr. Hawksley to abandon the Green-lane works nor the Windsor station, concluded by recommending the adoption of the report. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said the question was, at the present time, what was to be done under existing circum stances. and whether it would be more advantageous to go on under the act of parliament they had obtained or abandon it. For his own part, he had come to the con clusion that it would be easier and more advantageous to proceed. (Hear, hear.) He went at some length, as most of the speakers had done, into the question of water supply, the quality, and other details, and expressed him self favourable to the report. Mr. BENT said he still retained his former opinion, that if the Rivington scheme was carried out it must be at an outlay which would most seriously limit, both for the present and the future, the useful application of the revenue of the corporate estate. He objected to the quality of the water to be obtained from the Pike, and as to the application of the proposed reservoirs, they would not obviate all the difficulties to be encountered. Be lieving that the greater part of the rate-payers of the town were opposed to going to Rivington, until it were proved by actual experiment that the present wells would not yield the required supply, which views were in accord ance with his own opinions, he would support the amend ment. Mr. Alderman HODGSON supported the adoption of the report, and was followed by Mr. FISHER who, at some length, denounced in strong terms the conduct of those who had opposed the Pike scheme, and made some remarks to the effect that Mr. Harbord had, amongst many other things, displayed a great deal of buffoonery in his speeches in the Council. After some difference between Mr. Harbord and Mr. Fisher, the latter was called to order by the Mayor. Mr. GARDNER disclaimed being a party to any factious opposition, and said he was quite unconnected with any confederation or party. He hoped he should have that credit which he gave others, that he gave his vote con scientiously, and discharged his duty to the best of his ability. A great deal was said as to the scarcity of water in and about Liverpool ; but he could state, in reference to some property which he possessed at Everton, that there were two wells on the premises, one a surface and the other a spring ; and though men had been employed to pump a whole day at the spring during the repairing, they were unable to find the bottom • and, as regarded the quality, he challenged any one to test it. He would not deny but they might get a supply of water from Ri vington, as money would accomplish a great deal • but he was afraid it would not be so pure as the water they ob tained at present from the sandstone rock. They might, it was said, get a supply for fires and flushing sewers from the river, but then a question would arise as to where the money was to be obtained from. He thought that gen tlemen in going to Rivington, had begun at the wrong end, as they ought first to have tested this locality ; he felt satisfied that there was water in the neighbourhood of Knowsley-brook, and if an artesian well were sunk in that district, it might be attended with advantage. There was also abundance of water in the river Alt, which, with other streams that flowed into Sefton Meadows, might, if necessary, be made available at Liverpool. After some remarks as to the difficulties which appeared to be con nected with the carrying out of the Pike scheme, he concluded by expressing his approval of Mr. Procter's amendment. Mr. ROBINSON supported the amendment, after which Mr. H. HORNBY expressed bis regret that he could not take the same view of the question. In his opinion, the matter must be taken as it stood at the present time, and there was not the least probability of inducing parliament to rescind the act. He considered that the evidence which had been produced in connexion with the subject was satisfactory, and such as could be relied niacin. Seve ral statements had been made by Mr. Harbord as to the expenditure, which were subsequently found to be incor rect. He had set down the expenditure as being above the income, which was not the case ; he had also intimated that the water from Rivington was likely to produce disease in Liverpool, while the fact was that in this town, where the inhabitants drank the water from the red sand stone, the cholera was more prevalent than in any other place in England. (Hear, hear.) It was also a startling fact that in Rivington, where the supply of water was from drainage, there have been no traces of the disease. After some desultory discussion, Mr. FREME made a few remarks, in which he said that the amendment did not exactly coincide with his own views, though he could not vote for the reception of the report. He submitted, as an amendment, that the fur ther consideration of the report be deferred till an early day in November ; but, in the meantime, no steps be taken to promote or impede any proceedings, the neces sary parliamentary notices only excepted. Mr. HOLT then replied, and went into details, princi pally to show that the water obtained from Rivington would, by passing through filtering beds, be rendered perfectly clear and proper for all purposes. He had a letter from Wilson and Co., of the Vulcan Foundry, Glas gow, calling the attention of the Council to the position they were in as to payment for the pipes. They had con tracted to supply • they had delivered £1,600 worth of work, and had to the value of £4,000 more yet to deliver ; they wished the Council to consider the difficulties they were in in consequence of the recent proceedings in the Council. The amendment of Mr. Procter was then put, and lost by a majority of twenty-eight to twenty-two. For the amendment—Councillors Langsdale, Walthew, Woodruff, Preston, Ferguson, Toulmin, Robinson, Har bord, Rogers, Wagstaff, Kaye, Gardner, Neill, Johnson, Bennett, Parker, Beckwith, and Hindley. Aldermen Holmes, Henderson, Procter, and Bent. Against the Amendment—Councillors J. Holme, Morris, Tyrer, Aikin, Holt, Hornby, Tinne, Bell, Rimmer, S. Holme, Tobin, Booker, Lloyd, Freme, Lawrence, Watson, Benn, Mann, and Fisher. Aldermen Hodgson, Swainson, T. B. Horsfall, Nicol, Cooper, Wood, Molyneux, and Chil ton. Mr. BENNETT then submitted a motion to the effect, that the report be referred back, with instructions to have Mr. Haw ksley and Messrs. Simpson and Newlands brought together. That the question of the cost of the Riving. ton scheme be more fully gone into, and that a debtor and creditor account be furnished, showing the claims and liabilities. The amendment was seconded by Mr. HARBORD, when a long conversation ensued as to whether the amendment was in order. The MAYOR ultimately decided that only the first clause of the amendment could be put, which was ac cordingly done, and it was lost by a majority of twenty to eighteen. Mr. FREME then submitted his amendment, referred to. in a previous part of the proceedings that the further consideration of the report be deferred till November. This was also negatived. Several, members then, left the roomy when Mr. IFARBORD submitted another amendment as fol lows :-- '•That the Comais placed in. it& present embarrass- LIVERPOOL STANDARD. eoe sent jul Are ibv . ,ut r e Oil ;i• :boat 'ft' 10, 11 the g° Citr CPPebefer i n Ife r Wl A 5 the d 9" Ce tO• itrla .d meht in consequence of having entered into contracts for the Rivington Pike scheme, before the funds to meet such contracts were provided according to the Liverpool Water Act. _ _ " That it is not expedient to enter into any fresh con tracts, as engagements for the Rivingtou Pike scheme, until funds shall have been provided under the provisions of the Water Act. " That application be made to parliament next session with a view to relieve the corporation from its present enabfirrakißinuts, but that the details of the bill be post poticti poi dui iitesent." The MAYetii declared that the tititendment could not be put, upon which Mr. HARBORD moved that the tepsolit be referred back for a month. This was declared by the Mayc;f to bate been decided. The original motion was then put and Carried by 23 to 15. For the motion—Councillors Morris, Tyrer, Holt, Tinne, Bell, Rimmer, S. Holme, Tobin, Lloyd, G. H. Lawrence, Watson, Benn, and Fisher; Aldermen Hodgson, Swainson, T. B. Horsfall, Nicol, Cooper, Wood, Molyneux, Chilton, and the Mayor. Against the motion—Councillors Langsdale, Walthew, Woodruff, Preston, Ferguson, Harbord, Rogers. Wag staff, Johnson, Bennett, Parker, Beckwith, and Hindley ; Aldermen Henderson and Bent. The report being adopted, the following gentlemen were proposed by Mr. Holt as the committee :—Messrs. T. B. Horsfall, Bell, H. Hornby, Nicol, Morris, G. H. Lawrence, Aikin, and Holt. The, resolution of the council of the 14th May, relating to the obtaining a supply of water by extending the works at Green-lane, was then rescinded ; after which the council adjourned, shortly before five o'clock, having sat nearly six hours. DOCK CommirrEE, THURSDAY.—The plan of offices at the north-east end of the Prince's Dock, for Lieutt. Hodder, emigration agent, was approved of.—The death of John Weller, gateman for George's Dock, was reported, from cholera, and it was referred to the sub-committee to recommend 'a successor.—Mr. J. Hartley said, that of 450 cases at the dock works only two who had taken Sir James Clark's medicine had died. These two only took a teaspoonful, and died in a few hours after.—Messrs. Johnson, of Church-street, presented to the committee, for use at the new landing-stage, a gutta percha life buoy, the twisted rope to which would float. WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—At the usual weekly meet ing on Wednesday, it was resolved that a call of 70 per cent. should be made upon the various townships. The call to be by two instalments ; 40 per cent. to be due on the 18th of September, and 30 per cent. on the 9th of October. It was ordered that Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Chalmers, medical officers, should each have an assistant granted them. The resignation of Mr. Fowler, assistant overseer for Bootle-cum-Linacre, was accepted, Mr. M'Culloch observing that on that day fortnight he would move a suitable person to be appointed in his place. Dr. Whittle was accepted house surgeon to the Cholera Hos pital, Toxteth-park, with power to appoint his own apo thecary. THE PIKE SCHEME.—A public meeting of the rate payers of Scotland Ward was held on the subject. Mr. Conncillor Woodruff spoke in disparagement of the scheme, and explained his reasons for doing so at consi derable length. Mr. Councillor Thomson said he totally disagreed with the Pike scheme ; yet, at the same time, they had got the act snd it was there. Were the rate pryers prepared with the money to 'go to parliament ? If not, they might talk out a Highland moon, and they would be no nearer. Were they prepared with £lO,OOO or £20,000 ? If a majority voted to go to parliament, and failed to get the act rescinded, they individually would have to bear the expense if the ratepayers did not come to their aid, and unless the ratepayers put their hands into their pockets, or signed a document, they should not make a cat's paw of him. Mr. Thomson, after saying he would not vote for the scheme, but he would not vote against it, indignantly left the room. Mr. Richard Nor man moved a resolutiim, calling upon the representatives of the ward to support the amendment of Mr. Alderman Procter at the council meeting. This being seconded, was unanimously carried. After a complimentary vote of thanks to Mr. Woodruff for his uniform, manly, and con sistent opposition to the Rivington scheme, the meeting separated. BIRKENHEAD.—On Thursday, a public meeting of the ratepayers was held in the vestry of St. Mary's Church, for the purpose of revoking the appointment of Mr. Robert Harwood, and electing a proper person to the office of assistant overseer. The Rev. A. Knox was called to the chair. Mr. J. Tyler proposed that the ap pointment of Mr. Harwood be revoked ; that an assistant overseer be appointed, who should be required to discharge the duties of his office himself, except in certain cases, when sufficient cause should be shown to the overseers ; that he should be paid a salary by a poundage of five per cent. on the amount collected, and give a guarantee of £5OO. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Willan. Mr. H. Perry proposed an amendment, that a committee be appointed to investigate the charges which had been made against Mr. Harwood, the vailidity of appointment, the nature of his duties, and the manner in which he had discharged those duttes ; but more particularly with regard to the branch expenditure of the township money. The committee were also to take into consideration the question of Mr. Harwood's salary, and report upon the whole matter to a future vestry meeting to be held for that purpose. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Smith. Mr. Martin thought Mr. Harwood ought not to be dismissed without due notice, and that he had a claim upon the overseers if such a course were pursued. He proposed a resolution, that, in the event of Mr. Har wood's dismissal, he should have six months' notice, or that his salary be paid for that period at the rate of £3OO per annum. The amendment was put to the meeting and negatived by a large majority, and the original motion adopted, amidst much applause. Mr. Perry then de manded a poll, which took place. The amendment was carried by a majority of 300 to 274. As some allusion has been made to the standing of the voters we may observe that of the duplicate voters 92 voted for Mr. Harwood and 91 against him. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. On Wednesday Malcolm Fraser, late clerk to Mr. J. Robinson, corn merchant, was committed for trial charged with stealing from his employer a £lOO note. On Friday a driver of an omnibus was fined 40s and costs for driving his omnibus furiously along Lime-street. Two other parties were fined 20s each for a similar offence. William Beasty and Patrick Hillard, two Irishmen, have been committed for trial at the assizes, charged with setting fire to the farm buildings of Mr. John Perrin, of Bank-hall, Hale. AN INGENIOUS DEVICE.—One of the market inspec tors, in examining meat on the stall of William Brown, in St. John's Market, on Wednesday, discovered that he had killed and dressed a goat, in a similar manner to a lamb, and was endeavouring to sell it as lamb. In the inspector's opinion, the goat was from nine to ten years old. The defendant was fined 9s 6d, including costs. CLAIM FOR WAGES.—A black seaman, named George Mellor, appeared at the Police-court, on Tuesday, to claim a balance of £l2 wages from Thomas Warren, master of the Thetis. The plaintiff shipped as able seaman cn board the Thetis at Callao, and had performed the voyage to Liverpool. It appeared that whilst the vessel lay at Bahia the crew had manifested an indisposition to do the necessary work of the ship on several occasions, by which she was placed in great peril. The magistrate confirmed the withholding of the wages. THE TABLES TURNED.—On Wednesday, a man, named M'Nulty, was brought before Mr. Rushton, charged, by an emigrant agent, named James Stafford, with using violent and threatening language towards him. It appeared that the defendant came to this town, accom panied by his son, a few days ago, for the purpose of pro ceeding to North America. He took up his abode at the residence of the brother of complainant. His wife, not wishing him to take the child, followed him to Liverpool, and, being ignorant of his address, went to the com plainant, whom, she fancied, from his being an emigrant agent, might have some knowledge where he was located, and for this information Stafford charg, d her £2, and she gave him an 1.0. U. for 10s. On the husband being found, and told of this by Isis wife, he went to Stafford's house and remonstrated, and it was for the language then used that M`Nulty had been taken into custody by war rant. Mr. Rushton denounced Stafford's conduct as being most scandalous and abominable, and recommended M'Nulty to take proceedings against him for false impri sonment. THE BERMONDSEY MURDER. Manning was captured in Jersey on Monday night about nine, and safely lodged in prison. He arrived in that island on the 16th ult., and took lodgings at Mr. Berry's (the Navy Arms) in Mulcaster street, where he remained until the following Thursday morning ; and on his then leaving desired that his bed should be kept for him, as he would return on Saturday. While there he went out early in the morning and re turned in the evening, generally under the influence of li quor, of which he drank more before he retired for the night. He had once arranged with the captain of a sail ing vessel to go with him early in the morning to Guern sey, but did not get up in time. From his quitting the Navy Arms until Monday there was no direct trace of him. He took lodgings on Thursday week at Mr. Bertheau's, a private house a little off the St. Aubin's-road, on this side the Third Tower. While there, he kept very close, and might have remained longer concealed but for the notice taken of his so frequently sending to the same house for a bottle of brandy. This caused suspicion, and information was given to Mr. Centenier Chevalier, who immediately repaired to the place, accompanied by the two officers of the London detective police, one of whom was well ac quainted with Manning, from his having had to do with him in the affair of the mail robbery on the Great Western Railroad, for which Poole and Nightingale were con victed. On arriving at the house, it was ascertained that the lodger was in bed, and admirable arrangements were made for getting a sight of his face, and securing him before he could offer any resistance. He was, however, easily cap tured, and was in a very nervous state. Near him was a bottle of liquor and a razor. He immediately recognised Mr. Edward Langley, of the London police, and stated that he was glad he had come, as he was thinking of going to London to explain all. One of his first questions was —" is the wretch taken ?" (alluding to his wife), and on being answered in the affirmative, he observed, " I am glad of it, that will save my life." In subsequent conversation he endeavoured to throw the whole blame on the woman, and stated that she had caused the grave to be dug some time before, andafter having laid the cloth for dinner had invited O'Connor down stairs to wash his hands, and, while he was going to the kitchen for that purpose, had taken the opportunity of firing at him from behind. The Flamer admitted that all the things in the room • -cr that he had where he was lodging belonged to him, addh..: • • London, found a man to give him £l2 for his furniture u. all the money he had to start with. of which sell,. 'l sove reigns he gave up was the remainder. On his arrival at the Navy Arms, in Mulcaster.street, his first inquiry was where he could see the Times news paper. During his stay there he regularly breakfasted and supped with the guests, but rarely dined with them. He carried himself rather high, talked of his losses by the French revolution, that he must go to France and should require an interpreter, as he did not speak the language. During the passage from Southampton he had forced himself upon a respectable passenger, with whom he shared a double-bedded room, but to whom, as well as to several masters of vessels, and others in the house, he so behaved as to render himself anything but a favourite. He always evinced a great desire to see the newspapers. At the Navy Arms he paid regularly for every thing he had, including a glass of brandy just before he went away. This, coupled with his leaving a trunk, a coat, a pair of trousers, &c., made the host fully expect his return. revent,,, what alio t, During Tuesday applications for admission to the prison, by persons anxious to catch a glimpse of the sup posed criminal, were very numerous, and in general those applications were complied with, and curious visitors, in great numbers, obtained admittance. Manning, who was generally sitting on a form, or walking about the yard, seemed to gaze with an expression of something like indignation at those persons who came to stare at him as they would at a wild beast, but he took no notice of the other prisoners, or of the persons connected with the gaol, whose anxiety to get a sight of him seemed, how ever, to be fully as intense as that of the visitors. His first inquiry on being captured was, whether his wife, who he said was a traitor to him, had been removed to Lon don. He is rather communicative to those with whom he comes in contact in the gaol, and has frequently ex plained to them everything that occurred in reference to the murder. He states that his wife shot O'Connor as he entered the room, and declares that he himself had nothing whatever to do with the perpetration of the atrocious deed. He endeavours to put on an appearance of nonchalance and resolution, which is evidently as sumed, and which is with difficulty supported. On Thursday morning Mrs. Manning was made ac quainted with the capture of her husband at Jersey, and that his arrival was hourly expected. On receiving this intelligence she turned pale, and a slight tremor was per ceptible, but these symptoms only lasted for a few seconds, and she became as calm and cool as if she were really innocent. When informed that Manning had charged her with firing the pistol she said it was false, for she knew nothing of the murder, and was innocent of every thing connected with it. The authorities of the prison state that she possesses the most extraordinary nerve they ever witnessed. She eats her meals heartily, and retires to bed About eleven o'clock at night ; and her sleep re mains unbroken until about eight o'clock in the morn ing. She makes no allusion to the murder, nor has the name of O'Connor, or that of her husband, once escaped her lips. On Friday night, Manning arrived in London, in the custody of two police-officers. When he was apprehended there was found on him a comb, a Bible, and ls. 4d. At 10 o'clock on Saturday, Manning was brought from the cell by the gaoler, and placed at the bar of the South wark Police-court. He walked with a firm step, but ap peared to be dejected in spirits. He was described in the charge-sheet to be 30 years of age, but he seems some years older—probably from the dissipated life he has been leading of late, and the fatigue and excitement consequent upon his flight and capture. He is a stout, well-built man, of fair complexion, sandy hair and whiskers, the latter appearing to have been recently shaven closely. His head is remarkable from its extraordinary size, and his neck, which is short, is of unusual thickness. He wore a blue frock coat buttoned up in front, and a red silk handkerchief round his neck, and altogether his appearance is little calculated to produce a favourable im pression. During the examination, which lasted but a very short time, the prisoner seemed extremely nervous, and he only once or twice raised his eyes and cast them round the court, as if to observe whether there were any persons among the crowd whom he knew. After one or two formal questions had been answered, the prisoner was removed from the bar by the gaoler, and conducted into the room adjoining the court, where he remained until the prison van was drawn into the yard. A few minutes afterwards, all the necessary arrangements having been made, he was placed in the vehicle and driven off to. the county gaol. On his arrival at the prison he was received by Mr. Keane, the governor, when lie, in a tremulous tone of voice, asked w:iether he might be permitted to see his wife in the presence of Inspector Yates and the officers. The governor, however, told him that it would be contrary to the regulations of the gaol, and that he would not be permitted to see her. The prisoner ejacu lated that he was sorry for it, as his wife could exonerate him from all participation in the murder. He was then led into one of the cells usually occupied by prisoners charged with heinous crimes, and two turnkeys were appointed to watch him. On being left with them he became very downcast, and at times was noticed to betray considerable nervous ness. At a later period of the day he desired to be fur nished with ink and paper, which being supplied him, he wrote and addressed a letter to his wife. As usual in such serious cases, the communication went through the hands of the governor, who, we are informed, intercepted its delivery. The purport of the communication has not transpired. He frequently questioned the officers of the prison who were with him whether he might be allowed trifling indulgences during his confinement. At various times he asked permission to have some tobacco to smoke, but his wish was refused. With respect to Mrs. Manning, since her knowledge of Manning's apprehension, the composure and firmness she displayed while her husband continued at large has quite forsaken her—a change which was instantly observable on her hearing the fact of Manning's arrest. During the greater part of Saturday she paced the ward of the prison in which her cell is situate, evidently in a state of great mental excitement. An inspector of the M division of police had an inter view with Mrs. Manning on Saturday, for the purpose of procuring a receipt from her for £2O, which Mr. Seeker, the magistrate at the Southwark police-court, had allowed her to prepare her defence, out of the money found in her possession when apprehended by Mr. Moxhay in Edinburgh. Shaking the inspector by the hand, appa rently in the most fervent and hearty manner, she said, " I thank you and the worthy magistrate for this assist ance ; lam much obliged." She then wrote on a slip of paper the desired receipt. The style of writing, however, is certainly not in keeping with her reported accomplish ments. She was aware of her husband's arrival in the gaol, and remarked that it was very annoying that they were to be brought up together at the next examination at the police-court. She has frequently inquired of the persons whose duty it is to watch her what the newspapers say about the matter; but her anxiety on this point has not been relieved. Hearing, however, that Manning, when arrested in Jersey, had accused her of committing the crime by shooting Mr. Connor at the bottom of the staircase, she exclaimed, " The villain ; it was he that did it, not me." Late on Saturday night the police authorities obtained some information which is considered of great importance. It appears that on the 26th of July Manning called at the furnishing ironmongery warehouse of Messrs. Evans, 33, King-street, London -bridge, and asked to be shown a small crowbar. The shopman, George Stead, informed him that they did not keep such articles in stock ready made, but if he (Manning) pleased one should be made for him. Manning answered that would .do as well, but he impressed upon the shopman that he did not want one too large—about 71b. or 81b. would do. Manning then said that he would leave his name and address, which he did, and desired the implement to be sent home when finished. According to his instructions the crowbar was made, and on the 28th Messrs. Evans sent it to 3, Mini ver-place, by one of the porters. A few minutes after the man had started with it Manning called at Messrs. Evans's shop to ascertain whether the crowbar was ready, and being informed that the porter had just gone with it to his house, he left in a hurried manner and overtook the porter in Tooley-street. Stopping him in the street he asked him if he was going to his house with a crowbar, pointing to the uncovered implement the man was carry ing. The porter replied that lie was taking it to No. 3, Miniver-place, New Weston-street. Manning replied. " That's all right, but I suppose paper is very scarce at your establishment. One don't want everybody to see such things; come with me." Manning then went into a stationer's shop, and, buying a sheet of brown paper, he took the bar from the porter's hand and folded it up in the paper. He then wrote on it his name and address, and, walking with the porter, showed him the way to Miniver -place. Arriving at the corner of New Weston-street, Manning desired the porter to go and de liver it. The man proceeded to the house as directed, and, knocking at the door, was answered by a tall, well dressed woman, who had a mark on the upper part of her neck. On presenting the parcel she said, " Oh, you have come from Mr. Evans, in King William-street. What's to pay ?" The porter replied that there was 3s.:fid. to pay. The woman said that was 6d. more than she ex pected, but, without much hesitation, she handed to the porter the 3s. 6d., and he left. Singularly enough Messrs. Evans had retained the slip of paper on which the address was written when the order was given for the crowbar, and it has been identified as being Manning's handwriting. The porter in the course of the evening was taken to Horsernonger-lane Gaol, and identified both the prisoners. It is presumed that Manning made away with the crow bar, as it was not among the articles purchased by Bain bridge, the broker. In appearance it resembled a large ripping chisel, with rather a long flat point, tipped with steel, the metal rather more than an inch and a quarter in thickness. On Monday morning the adjourned inquest was again resumed, before M. Carter, Esq., coroner for Surrey. Mr. Binns, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Mrs. Manning. The inquiry continued throughout the day, and not again adjourned. The only fresh piece of important evidence offered was by Inspector John Hayes of th e detective police force, who said,—" In the small box I f ound the skirt and body of a dress. There is no name on it. Up to the top, o w s pn h l a e t s r hh e e e i t dn h . t e e s r nl k t i a r i Is t oi i n s ni pn putthe. o u n papn t e h er epr part, r are placeewl s oh e oe v kr e es r ja7tlsispots the ed b b bo l o ede o yn d . [Skirt produced, which was a blue and white check.] The body appears to have been very recently washed, and also a two n ot h to e i r l e p t co e e v e e rs stained l g i k m e a t r h k e s o r rest s bloodt . l h o o n l d e l a n h and e hm! They are about twelve inches square. I also found a piece of muslin with marks of splashes on it. [Produced.] Dr. Odling says he does not at all doubt but that the marks are those of blood." It was also stated by Mr. Stevens, stockbroker, of 3, Royal Exchange, that Mrs. Manning had called on him about the Ist of August, and said she had some money, £2OO, which she wished to invest in foreign railway stock, unknown to her husband. She had' been recommended by O'Connor to call on witness. This witness identified the shares found in the prisoner's boxes, as part of some he had purchased for the murdered man. The jury returned. suerdiat of wilful murder. Among other remarks, which Manning made after his apprehension, in allusion to his wife, he said be hoped she would not destroy herself before he got to London, for when there he could soon clear himself." Again he said, " I suppose she must have £1,500 upon her; at least, she •• , litto have. She has often told me that she would be NI upon O'Connor." Mr. Chevalier here asked •eant bybeiinshg it, r o even: t e h d e ? u u n p d o er n s w ta h n i d ch in :l t a h n a n t in h g e -. he induced us to take the house in Min ..m'kh us, which he did not do ; and nee, and said s h e woud be 1 -e angry, dear ;" and ad " Connor got off his A little before honed her • would 11_1, rejoined, U szh,. ver-place, and to would come and lite my wife got into a greut revenged." " I said, " Don't wised her to forget and forgive. agreement by paying a few weeks' rent. this time, my wife went to hi s h o u se , and ha notes and railway coupons, and promised that bb leave her the greater part of his property under his After a pause, he added, " She frequently went to Lb house ; and, about a fortnight before the murder, st.er invited him to come and dine with us, but he did not come. She wrote him another letter, asking him to dine with us on the fatal day, The dinner was laid tip stairs when he arrived. My wife asked him if he would not go down stairs and wash his hands, as was his custom, before dinner. He replied " Yes," and immediately went down stairs followed closely by my wife. As soon as they reached the bottom of the staircase, my wife put one of her arms round O'Connor's neck, and with the other hand she fired a pistol at the back part of his head. O'Connor immediately fell dead. I fainted, and do not know what became of the body. Mr. Chevalier asked the assassin if he had not seen a hole dug in the back kitchen ? upon which he said, " Oh ! yes ; I had seen it, and I believed that it was intended for me. I believe my wife intended to murder me." The male prisoner's personal appearance is represented to be that of "a bull headed, thick-necked man, with a half-effeminate expression, arising from a very fair com plexion, and light hair." When the officers proceeded to the gaol, for the purpose of conveying the prisoner to the packet, Manning made a particular request that be might be allowed to walk through the streets of St. Heliers, and as it was very early in the morning, Mr. Chevalier consented to allow him to do so, Langley and Lockyer walking on either side of the accused, and Mr. Chevalier immediately behind him. He asked as a particular favour to be allowed a cigar. The request was also complied with ; and it is a fact that the suspected assassin of Patrick O'Connor actually walked a distance of nearly half a mile from the gaol to the pier through the streets of St. Heliers, smoking a cigar, with all the ease imaginable, and exhibiting the insolent bearing for which he is so remarkable. There were very few persons present at this hour in the streets, so that no inconvenience arose from this circumstance. Even at the pier where he embarked there could not be more than 300 spectators. One remarkable fact in connection with Manning's apprehension on Monday night should be mentioned. It appeared that during that day he had asked Mrs. Weil don, the female with whom he boarded in Mr. Berteau's house, whether the old gentleman had much money. Mrs. Weildon, it is supposed, did not satisfy him, and in the evening he visited an: old man named Trachy, who lives in the next cottage, and whose back premises com municated with those of M. Berteau, and asked him the same question, adding a remark to the effect that as the old couple had no children, probably they might have some money by them. Trachy thought the question strange, but took no notice of it. When the officers entered the assassin's room an open razor was lying upon the table, and the door of his apartment, for the first time since he had slept in the house, was ajar, and not locked as it had previously been. From some circumstances which have transpired the police are of opinion that a third party is mixed up in the murder; and Mr. Massey was questioned in reference to a Frenchman, whom he informed the police he had often heard Mrs. Manning speak of, but that he never saw the person; and this opinion is confirmed by a letter found, written by her, directed to the British Hotel, Boulogne, the contents of which have not been allowed to transpire. In consequence of the publicity given to Manning's appre hension, the immediate vicinity of the station-house of the M division was surrounded during the day by an anxious body of persons waiting for the prisoner's arrival. There is no doubt whatever that Manning married De Roux in the hope that, through the influence of the noble family in which she had resided, he might obtain an ap pointment under the government. It appears that he ac tuall3 did obtain a letter from a member of that family, which he personally delivered to the Premier, soliciting the situation of a landing waiter. Lord John Russell asked Manning what situation he had previously filled, and, upon being informed that he had been a guard upon the Great Western Railway, his lordship said that he could not recommend him for the appointment he sought, but he would at once give him a messenger's place, with a sa lary of £BO a-year, if he thought it worth accepting. Manning at once declined the Premier's offer, and has been frequently heard to upbraid himself since for not having deceived the minister as to his former calling, and thus rendered himself eligible for a landing waiter's situation. The brother of Manning, through the same interest, ac tually did obtain a situation as a messenger in the Board of Trade Office, from which he has only very recently been dismissed in consequence of some quarrel with his brother officers. With reference to the account which has appeared of the mode in which Manning was conducted through the streets of St. Helier's with a cigar in his mouth, the idea it is said, was suggested to him by some of the minor authorities of the place, who not being able to procure for all their friends orders to see the prisoner while in gaol, took this means of gratifying their curiosity. Mantling was assured that none of the inhabitants would be aware of his removal, and that he would be enabled to pass through the streets unobserved if he consented to walk to the harbour. Upon this assurance be did so; but after he had left the prison there were presently 200 or 300 per sons at his heels—a circumstance which seemed to annoy him very much, and after he had been received on board the Despatch by Langley, he complained to that officer very warmly on the subject, declaring that had he known what would happen, he would have " seen them all hanged before he would have walked to have been pressed upon by a parcel of roughs." He was so unwell on Friday night at the Stones'-end station, that a doctor was sent for, and he is still allowed to take brandy occasionally. CHARACTER OF O'CONNOR. The deceased, Patrick O'Connor, was known to boast among those connected with his department at the Cus toms of his great command of money. A gentleman in the Customs, who frequently had business with him, had heard him speak about it. It was also pretty notorious that the deceased was connected with a bad set. On one occasion O'Connor declared to one of his companions that he made a good deal of money, but that " a lady had the best part of it." O'Connor 's landlady is said to have had her misgivings about some of the companions who were in the habit of coming to the - .louse, or of corresponding with him, and when he was first missed expressed her fears that something fatal had happened to him. Her conjectures have been verified in a very appalling manner; but while the unparalleled atrocity of the crime remains unquestioned there is little doubt that the world has little to regret in the loss of Patrick O'Connor. His life appears to have been divided between the indulgence of the most sordid avarice and the most depraved licentious ness. For instance, a case was heard before Mr. Broderip at the Thames Police-court, about three years ago, which shows the singular worthlessness of his character. He on that occasion charged a man named Michael Lee with obtaining money from him by threats. Lee's statement was that he had given O'Connor £5 to procure employ ment for him in the docks, but that the employment had not been got, and O'Connor would not return the money. Finding how matters stood, he threatened to expose him unless the £5 was forthcoming. O'Connor cunningly pretended that he had not the money with him then, but promised to pay him the same evening if he called at his lodging. At the hour appointed he had a constable stationed in the adjoining room, and when Lee threatened to expose him if the £5 was not returned, he was imme diately marched off to the station-house. The evidence of the threat was conclusive, and poor Lee received twelve months' imprisonment, while O'Connor, who had been suspended from his situation at the Custom-house on a charge of similar malpractiees in other cases, was held to have re-established his character, and was reinstated accordingly. MRS. MANNING. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. As some doubt still appears to exist in the public mind (which is not altogether removed by the rather uncertain opinion given by the coroner), whether or no Mrs. Man ning may not evade the just vengeance of the law by a plea of coverture, I beg to refer you to the following pas sages in Hale's Pleas of the Crown, v 01.1., p. 4 : Sec. 9. " A femme covert is so much favoured in respect of that power and authority which her husband has over her, that she shalt not suffer any punishment for committing a bare theft in company with, or by coercion of, her husband." And then adds, in— Sec. H. " But if she commit a theft of her own voluntary act, or by the bare command of her husband, or, be guilty of treason, murder, or robbery, in company with, or by coercion of her husband, she is punishable as much as if she were sole." In Curwood's notes to the above sections, he says, " with respect to treason and murder there is no doubt." The public may rest quite satisfied that the plea of coverture will not shield Mrs. Manning from the sword of offended justice. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, W. E. K. Lincola's-inl-fields, Aug. 2.3, Several of the manuscript journals of the House of Lords, supposed to have been consumed in the great fire of 1834, were last week discovered as waste paper in a cheesemonger's shop in London. The journals, which are most valuable, extend from 1781 till 1806. THE `WESLEY AN SCHISM.—The limes of yesterday thus concludes an article on the recent expulsion of minis ters by the Conference :—" Whether such a course be right or wrong, it is at best perfectly unique in this country. No other British tribunal possesses or claims the authority to put " a brotherly question" to a suspected person, and require " a frank and brotherly answer." The rule of all our courts, both ecclesiastical and civil, is charity, which " hopeth all things," and which assumes everybody to be innocent till he is proved to be guilty. These gentlemen are punished on mere suspicion, and for refusing to criminate themselves. We never heard the like in this country, at least in modern and . peaceable times. Talk of the Star Chamber ! A man might hold his tongue before that court, stand his trial, and escape if the evidence failed to support the charge. Of the parties themselves, of the Fly-Sheets, or the usual/A*OlV • T 4 the Conference, we know next to nothin gs these proceedings on the statement of the nArAiii A 1-11) and we pronounce them at once a _gross outrav .on out-• old English principles of fair play." I • • ‘ f.) f • 7 • ;