Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-09 00:00:00

r t. cif .4) r TOWN COUNCIL. The adjourned meeting of the Town Craincil was held at eleven o'clock yesterday in the Town Hall. The Mayor, FE.ANCIA SIIAND, Esq., presided. FINANCIAL COMMITITEE. The proceedings of this committee contained the fol lowing recommendati ,, ns Recommendation that the discretion given by and contained in the Act of 7 Wm. IV. and 1 Vie. c 19, should at the next quarter sessions be exercised by the recorder. Recommendation to pur chase from the Fad of Derby a plot of freehold land in Hackies-hey, adjoining the George Hotel, containing about 102 square yards, for £1,200. Mr. Alderman SAMUEL Hozatte said, the Council would have perceived by the proceeding', that the business transacted by the Finance Committee durit.g the last month had been but smal!. He was not aware that there 'was anything in the proceedings, excepting the two special subjects which he should now bring before the Council, which required any remark from him, but if any gentleman had any question to a.ln, he shouM be happy to give an answer. He much regretted to state to the Council that the increase in the number of persons cpmmitted for trial rendered it necessary that that the recorder should hare ass stance. The recorder had made application to the Council, and the C Juncil referred the subjtct to the Finance Committee, who took the questini into their best consideration. The committee recom mended _ the Council to avail themselves of an -act which was passed in the reign of - William IV., and was amended in the reign of Victoria, giving power to the Town Conueils of large towns to give additional assistance to Recorders. The act appeared to him an exceedicgly cumbrous one—cumbrous in its machinery, and indefinite in some of its expressions. But so far as he could make it out it was thin : —lf before each Quarter Sessions it should appear to the Recorder that th, sessions were likely to last more than three days, he might direct that another court should bo opened, but the Mayor and two aldermen must certify that the Council had resolved that it was expedient and for the benefit of the inhabitants of the borough, that such power was exercised. Consequently he thould conclude by proposing a resolution which would give that power. The Recorder at the present time had a salary of 500 guineas per annum, and held three extra sessions in consequence of the number of prisoners unhappily brough before him. For each of those extra sessions he received a sum of £5O, making a £l5O for the extra sessions, or an aggregate of £675 per annum. From the Ist of January to the 12th of May, during three sessions held then, he tried 440 prisoners, and he (Mr. Holme) regretted very much to say, that the annual number of prisoners now sent for trial before him exceeded 1,2.0 It was known to the Council that the Government paid the cost of the prosecutions, but the salaries of the Recorder, Clerk of the Peace, and Crier of the Court, fell upon the various Corporations. The Sessions now occupied upon an average about nine, and sometimes ten days each; and it was acivisah a that, if possible, the Sessions should be always concluded within the week, in. consequence of the expense of detaining witnesses frequently over two Sun days. It was very desirable, and the Committee had taken it into consideration, that the police-officers of the town, who were detained at the Sessions fur four, six, or seven days sometimes, should be liberated earlier than they were. It would be a great accommodation to various witnesses, who sometimes cents from a distance, to be able to return to their homes within the week. Shortening the duration of the Sessions would also shorten the period during which the Corporation had to maintain and feed the. prisoners. To remedy, therefore, the inconveniences which had been Mt in various large towns and communi ties, the Act g , i,ve power to appoint an additional Recorder. limiting his remuneratien to two days in each Sessiorr, at 10 guineas each thy ; an if he sat four or five days, he could receive no more than 20 guineas. The Act likewi , e limited the Clerk of the Peace to two days, at two guineas each day, and the Crier of the Court to half a giinea, making altogether the cost of each session £26 5s Therefore, for seven sessions, supposing seven sessions to be held, as the commit ee feared, the aaaual cost would be £lB3 15s That cost esuld not be exceeded. The act, however, was permissive to the as-isthnt judge to sit as long as was necessary. Gentlemen might say it would be better for the Recorder to get through the business himself and sit longer, but they would see that it would involve the Corporation and various parries in very considerable expense if he ware to do so, even if m ,rahly sessions were held, and would be a result which it would be very desirable t avoid. He was sure the Council would agree with the committee that the speedy administration of justice was always most desirable, particularly in criminzl cases, and although he very much regretted that any additional charges should be cast upon the borough fund, jeopardised as it was, yet the cost was comparatively small in propor tion to the benefits which would result from an arrange ment of the kind ; and he had. therefore, to request the confirmation of the Council to the recommendation of the Finance Committee, which had been arrived at after con outing with the Town Clerk, carefully reading over the Act cf Parliament, and deliberating seriously upon the subject. Mr. Alderman J. H. TURNER seconded the motion. Mr. HOLME said he had omitted to state that the Recorder, under the Act cf Parlament, would have the nomination of the assistant judge, but it must be approved of by the Secretary of State. The recommendation was confirmed without discussion. Mr. HUME then moves that the recommendation for the purchase of a piece of land from the Earl of Derby be confirmed. He explained that, as ht stated at the last Cou'icil, the possession of this plot w 3 ,1 1 ,1 give the Corpo ration access to a large quantity of back land at the George Hotel, and would thus convert back land into frontage. Mr. Tuulsca seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. HOLME then moved the confirmation of the general proceedings, which was a;s) carried ananimou2ly. WATCH COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read. They comprised the following report, : THE LIGHTING OF THE BOROUGH. The Spec:al Corami:tee appoin'ed to consider the Resort of t Lighting Inareetors, on the suhj;•et of the Lighting of f Borough, REPORT AS FOLLOWS As to re-arranging the Lamps.—ln the able report presented by the lighting inspectors, it is suggested that if the lamps, throughout the borough were re-arranged, and placed at shorter distances apart than they are at present, they would, with a diminished supply cf gas to each lamp, p, a d ue , a more diffused light than is now afforded. Your committee have carefully inquired whether such suggestion can conveniently be carried into effect ; but amongst other difficulties which present themselves, it appears that, in order to carry out the principle recommended, a sum of £8,921 would be required to defray the cost of procuring and erecting the necessary additional lamp posts. It also appears that the lamps are lighted under a contract with the Gas Company, which the, Watch Committee have no power to vary during its roiitinuance, except by mutual consent . ; but if the Gas Company were willing to light the present and additional lamps with half the present supoiv of gas per lamp, as. stated by the inspectors, at one-half the present charge for gas, without altering the rate of charge for lighting, extinguishing, and cleaning, there would be an additional annual cost of nearly £3,000 beyond the present expenditure. As the power to levy a lighting rate is limited, by act of par liawent, •to a sum which is iiisufficient to meet the current expenditure, the whole of the above sums would have to be provided by the Ceuncil out of tie borough fond. In order to meet the deficiency already arising fr o m h e li m i t t h us fi x 'd , the Ceuncil last year paid upwards of £4,500, and this sum even, under existing arrangements, will annually increase. Upon a careful consideration of all the circumstances bearing on the question, your committee do rot feel at liberty, at the present time, to recommend such an extensive alteration as the inspectors have suggested. It appears, however, th it in t out-townships owing to different parts of new streets having been built no, at different times, the lamps are very irregularly placed. Your committee recommend that in all such cases the lamps should be properly arranged, and the inspectors should be requested to repo r t in detail thereon. 2. As to the Lighting of Courts and Alleys.—Tlie principle hitherto acted upon has been only to light such of these places at the public expenseas police purpes• s demanded ; and then only in thoroughfares. L appears that if one lamp were placed in each court and alley, and projecting irons used instead of pillars, as more economical, a turn of 668 would be required to defray the coot of procuring and erec:ing the same, whilst the expense of lighting, according to the present contract price, would be £6,169 per annum, under this head alone ; and keeping in view the insufficiency of the lighting rate, for the purposes of present expenditure, as already ex plained, your committee cannot recommend any alteration to be adopted. . 3. As to large Lamps.—Five sites have been already sanctioned by the Council for the erection of large lamp, namely ;—Wavertree-road, New Park entrance; Lew Hill, top of Brunswick-road ; The Old Haymarket ; New Quay ; Narybone. Your Committee re , :ommend that lamps now in wore, should be erected accordingly at tl:e first four places, but it appears there is not sufficient space to admit of one a: Marybone. If the Watch Conaml:tee shall ti ink fit to erec ,additional large lamp", your Committee consider the foliowinz vs desirable site?, namely : — St. James'-place and Mill-street ; ',per Parliament-street, B!a;r-street, and Si. James'-road ; *r Parliament-street, and Princes Park-road ; Evertor and Everton-road ; Kirkdale-road and Boundary `icetiand-road and Athol. street; Berry-street, lien- ' and Bold-street; St. Georges' Baths, east side. •ommend that one lamp of smaller size should be Monument, London-road, also two smaller lamps on high pedestals at Hurst-street and New Wap ping, and that the present large lamp at Waterloo-place be removed to Wolstenho'rne-square. The Borough Engineer submitted a plan, showing a new arrangement of the upper portion of the large lamp, affording five branch lamps in lieu of the ?resent lantern, but having the base and pillar unaltered, Your Committee recommend that 'before more lamps ate ordered, a specimen showing the proposed alteration be fitted up at inspected. The inspectors and water engineer have been in communica tion reApecting the introduction of fountains in connection with the large lamni, and they consider the scheme practicable and desirable. Your committee, therefore, recommend that the infretori should be instructed to report as to sites and other par, icui ars. Your committee farther recommend that a meter and regu lator should be fitted up at each of the large lamps, but it appears that ❑o reflector ca❑ be usefully app!ied with the burners cow used. Las:ly, as to Urinals—The application of the Heal h Com mittee to have certain of the public urinals lighted nice - 3 with the e•iire approve of your committee, and they recommend that twenty-four double u inals be lig:lted as requested. Mr. J. B. B RAN CK glt moved the confirmation of the pro ceedinge. In reference to the suggestions for lighting the town, the carrying out of which under existing circuth stances the commictes cnuld not recommend, they would in the first year, if fully carried out, involve an additional cost of 1.2500, and of £14,000 every succeeding year. Mr. JOHNSON seconded the motion, which was adopted. THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1857, Houghton, and Tonlmin; Councillors Nicholson, Ferni hough, Graves, Jeffreys, Wagstaff, Brancker, Picton, Jeffery, Kitchen, Aikin, Farnworth, Robertson, and Hal head. Against: The Mayor ; Aldermen Bennett, Dover, Gard ner, and S Holme ; Councillors Crosthtwaite, Stitt, Sheil, Woodruff, Bradley, Eraydock, Livingston, Steaing, Banner, J. Hoime, Johnson, Hodson, Mellor, Beckwith, Clint, and Anthony. • _ _ The recommendation was then adopted. The report of the Sanitary Officers was then read in reference to the terms upon which they proceeded to the Crimea, and the manner in which the government refused to meet their claim when presented. This document we published fully at the time when it was presented to the Health Committee. Mr. Alderman DOVER moved the confirmation of the proceedings. and in doing so took occasion to call attention to the report just read. Wishing that the matter might be brought to a speedy conclusion, he expressed a wish that the Council should take some steps which might secure that object. The officers, he contende3, had been very unfairly dealt with, and he thought the Council ought to come to their rescue. It was quite clear from the report that the services of the officers at the time were invaluable. A bargain was made ; and the bargain was broken. The officers had applied in more forms than one to recover their money, and had been unsucceasfill. He held that it was a case in which the Council ought to interfere, although he was not prepared to suggest the precise manner of doing so. He would leave that to those better acquainted than himself with public matters connected with government to determine what steps out to be taken. Mr. Alderman PARKER expressed --- - doubt whether the Cunncil could take any further steps. Mr. Alderman BENNETT hoped that further steps would be taken, and that the Council would interfere. The Go vernment had already admitted part of the claim. The Borough Engineer's c4t 7 m was reduced in the first instance by -£3OB, but afterwards the amount taken off was altered to £174, and it might only require a third investigation to make it clear that the whale sum was due. He declared that any merchant in L•verpool who should act as the Government had done, would be accounted guilty of a direct fraud. He suggested that the Health Committee should be requested to for ward the heads of the whole statement to Government. M. J. R. JEFF ERY suggested that the committee should themselves point out some course which they could re commend a 4 desirable to follow. Mr. Alderman Tuammt expressed some doubt whether it would come within the province of the Council to take any s eps in the matter. While he fully agreed w;th what had been said in resiect to the unjustifiable refusal of the officers' expenses, still, be thought, the application ought to come from the Health Committee alone, not from the Council. Mr. HODSON urged that the Council were concerned in the matter, inasmuch as the officers were invited to go out through the mayor of that year, Mr. J. A.. Tobin. Mr. SHEIL c-mtervied that the Council had, to s, me extent, an interest in the matter, inasmuch as, according to the agreement which was made at the time, the salary of the officers was to be reimbursed to the Corporation, out of the money they should receive from government. He did not believe, however, that the Council would, in any case, act as the government had done, and leave the men themselves to be sufferers. Mr. GRAVES recommended, as having had considerable experience in the collection from government of claims, that some attempt should be made again to have the matter fully explained, and placed in the p...uper light before the authorities. Aft.'r some further conversation, the subject was referred back to the Health Committee, in order that the Com mittee might bracig up some report to the Council, as to the steps they recommended to be taken. The ceneral proceedings of the committee were then confirmed. ST• CEORGE'S lIiLL COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were re Id. They compf sed a recommendation that the opinion of an eminent architect be taken on the subject of the approaches to St. George's Hall. Mr Alderman TURNER moved the confirmation of the proceeding -t, and oh erved that, as the present appearance of St. George's Hall was by no means approved of, the committee were of opinion that the course they could adopt would be to take the opinion of some eminent architect, such as Sir Charles Barry or Mr. Pennithorn, on the matter. Mr. HousoN thought that before such an opinion was taken, the St. George's Hall Committee should confer with the Library and Museum Committee, and report on the whole subject. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BECKWITII was of the same opionion. They had been told by Mr. Earle that Mr. Cockerilt was a most eminent architect, and he could not therefore see why they should require the advice of any other professional man. He would nu ve then that that portion of the proceedings, recommending th2t the opinion of an architect be taken on the approaches to St. Garage's Hall. be not confirmed. (Hear, hear ) Mr. Alderman BENNZTT seconded the amendment. Living in the town, they could themselves best say what levels would suit. When they had determined on the levels they could then, if necessary, take additional advice on the subject. Mr. Alderman TURNER observed that he had no objection to such a course. Mr. Alderman Holm: said that he WAR informed by the surveyor that the joint c)mmittee appointed to take the subject of the approaches to St. George's Hall into consi deration were to be summoned for Monday, They would have been summoned before were it not for the pressure of parliamentary business. The proceedings were confirmed, with the exception of that portion to which objection had been taken. MIRKETS COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were rend. They comprised nothing of interest. Mr. Hoosom drew attention to the annoyance occasioned on Saturday nights by the collection of nut sellers and others in Queen-square, and observed that it was much complained of by the persons residing there. The Mason observed that that was a subject for the consideration of the Watch Committee. M. J. B. BRANCRER pr3mised that it should be at tended to. The proc,edings were confirmed. The proceeding 4 of the Gaol and House of Correction Committee—comprit•ing a recommendaion to appoint Thomas Guy as engineer, at a salary of 355. per week, deducing the usual amount for uniform, were confirmed. The proceedings of the Town-hall Eitabhshment ware also confirmed. HEALTH COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read They comprised —" Recommendation to increase the salary of Mr. J. P. Wilson. clerk in the borough engineer's depart ment. from £7O to £BO per annum, the consideration of which was postponed at the last monthly Council, pursuant to the standine , orders. Recommendation to autho r i se t h e requisite steps being taken for carrying out a plan for new Public Offices in Dale-street, and for effecting improve ments there." The report of the committee on the subject of the second recommendation was read. We have already published it. Mr. Alderman DOVER moved the confirmation of the recommendation. He observed, that as the report stated. the Council had already affirmed the principle of the recommendation by a resolu'ion passed at their meeting on the Pith of last August. The situation of the present offices waJ very inconvenient. They were at too great a distance, and while the propose I cffiees would lie more central they would alio open up a neighbourhood that was almost a disgrace to the town, and would improve the health and morals of the people. The improvement would widen Sir Thomas's Buildings and Crosshall-street, which at present were too narrow. They would have in all, about 8,900 square yards of land ; they would require 3,700 square yards for th e public offices. leaving the quantity to be disposed of for the erection of a new Post office, or for other purposes, about .5,20 t) square yards. As to the cos', it wss calculated that in round numbers the loss to the public, after the sale of the present offices, and the disposal cf the land that would remain a b ove that req&rei for the new cffices, wt u;cl be about £27000 ; which would require a rate of one-half psnny in the pound for nine yeas to recover. As the Council were aware, it would require an act of parliament to carry out the im pcovements, and the committee should again come before them both in regard to the notices and the bill itself, the Council need not hosila e to approve of the recom mer dation. Mr. Stan. seconded the motion. Mr. Alderman HOLME agreed that a street communicating from Castle-street to Mancheeter-street would be a great public convenience. He agreed also that the destruc ion of the nest of wretched buildings in the neighbourhood of Preston street and Croeshall street, would tend to the benefit of the town, by opening up a large district for c , rnmercial purposes, which he had no doubt would ultimately be covered by buildings of a better description ; bet at the same time he should say that it was impossible for the Council, out of the borough funds, to spare a single gulling for the purpose of improvement, however desirable it might be—and desirable he confessed this improvement to be. (Hear, hear.) With the engage. ments into which the C-until had entered, and the un certain condition in which the• were placed with reference to a large po:tion of their revenue, it was impossible for them to spare one penny from the borough fund for the purpose of carrying out the improvement; end, therefo-e, before he gave any further opinion on the subject - , he would ask whether it was the intention to carry out the improve ment by a rate upon the inhabitants or by a portion of the borough fund ? If the former, he would support the recommencation ; if the latter, for the purpose of preserving the credit of the Corporation, and husbanding their resources to meet the large engagements into which they had enter d, he should oppose it. Mr. Alderman MITER said he thought he had already stated thet the cost would be £27,000, which would require a rate of it in the pound, f T nine years, to defray. Mr. Alderman HOLME: Then it is the intention to carry it cut by a rare, and not to call upon us for anything. Mr. Alderman DOVER : Yes. Mr. Alderman !Toole: Then I have no objection to it. Mr. Alderman Devem : We shall, of course, borrow the money, , nd pay back the principal in a certain number of years ; but is would not be prudent, nor for the public c neenience, that I should go more into details. (Hear, hear ) Mr. Ptcroer said that, without giving any cpinion on the merits of the question, he thought the Conned ought to have more information furnished them before coming to the discussion of a question of such great importance. They were asked t o d eterm i ne, at a moment, a great publicimproveme n t, which would involve the outlay of a large 811 M of money ; as they were told that the bal glee against tee public would be 1:27,600, a n d th a t it wou ld b e paid for in a certain manner. .They wer e no t i n f orme d , however what that £27,000 umuded, or h ow it arose m i Did the Health Co mittee ntend to take upon themselves the whole cost of the improvement, and t o ma k e the street from North John-street to Whitechapel. Was that the intention ? (Cries of "N e no.") Then, in that case, the £27 000 only represented a very small portion of th e outlay. It only repr e sen t ed that portion whieh the Health Committee th emse l ves w e ei ld h ave t o d ea l wit h, in their capacity of asnitary c mmissioners for the borough. They were to build the proposed officee, and to sell the old ones, the Coreoratien furnishing the land, and rut of that trans ac li m it was expected there would be a loss of £27,000. But there was beyond that the cost of all the land on which the buildings were to stand, end there was also the purchase of a large amount of property Mr JAMES Hopis said that he would be happy to give Mr. PIC= every information on the subject. Mr. Alderman DOVZR : If M r . Pi cton wish to force us into further details we . shall be oblig e d to go i nto t h em; but it will be inconven i ent, and injurious to the public. Mr. PieroN replied that it was ingenious to talk about the inconvenience of details, and that only a portion of the scheme was now brought before them, but that was the very thing he objected to. He objected to matters being brought before them piecemeal. (Hear, hear.) He thought the Council ought to have the whole scheme before them, and not be told now that the cost would be only X 27,000 and at a future day that it only included a part of the scheme. It was to that kind of legi.lation he objected. He would like to know out of what fund the new street, was to ba made? He was asking for inf.rmation, and he wished to know whether the £27,000 loss included the purchase of the property, and the making of the new street ? Mr. Alderman DOVER : I will answer the question when you finish. Mr. PiCPON : I cannit finish until you answer my Ties tion. Mr. Alderman DOVER : I say, emphatically, all tint will be required from the ratepayers is £27,000. Mr. PlcroN : Who is to make the street ? Mr. HODSON : There is no street to be made. Mr. PIC CON : Then my statement is correct, that the £27,000 does not include the making of this new street, and I say that under prevent circumstances, to commit this Council to an indefinite expense, of which they know nothing, except that it will be a very enormous sum, would be about the most unwise vote we could come to. I say nothing in regard to the scheme. It may be the best and most desirable plan that could be adopted—of that I say nothing—but I do say, that to adopt a plan, ostensibly to coat £27 000, when the proposer of that plan knows well that to complete it will require three or four times that sum, is what the public o ght not to sanction. Ido not wish to condemn the scheme, but I say it would be wise to postpone it. I move, then, that it be postponed for the Present. Mr. Feetetnoree seconded the amendment, and main tained that the public were not dissatisfied with the situ ation of the Cornwallis street offisee. Mr. JAMES Hones, in supporting the recommendation, said that the Council ought to take into consideration the circumstances that led to the proposition. When the Saracen's Head became vac an`, many gentlemen connected with toe Health Committee thought it was a favourable opportunity to secure a site on which to erect public offices, and bearing in mind that they were going to remove the Police Ceuree to Dale-street, he considered that it would be found that a system of centralisation of all the public offices would be best for the whole community. (Hear, hear.) During the time that plans were being prepared for the public (settees, the Chamber of Commerce thought it a favourable oppor tunity to secure a site for the new Post-office, and upon several gentlemen visiting the locality, they considered that not only would a great benefit be effected be the removal of the wretched property with which it was covered, but that it was the best site that could be found for the new building. He agreed with Mr. Picton that they should not advocate a bit by bit system of improvement, but it was necessary on all occasions to show on a plan not only what was to be done, but what might be done on a future occasion if it were thought proper to do so. Independent, however, of what might possibly be done in the future, the properly now proposed to be improved would stand istslated with streets of twenty yards width all around it, and without going into details, because, as Mr. Dove said, it would be injudicious to do so, the total area of the land now proposed to be dealt with, would be 8,946 square yards. Of that the public offices would take 3,746 square yards, leaving 5,200 squire yards, as a site for the new post-office, or any other buildings. Mr. Newlands had valued the property in one way, and he (Mr. Holme) had valued it in another ; but, without going into details, he might mention that Mr. Newlands estimated the purchase of the whole property at £35,472, while he (Mr. Holme) estimated it £37,210. Adding both sums together, and taking the mean, he found that the total cost of the property would be £36,341. Tit., building of the new pile of officf”, according to the plan they had before them, would come to £18,208 ; he believed the purchase from the Corporation of the site of the " Sara cen's Head " would be something like £l2 000, and thus they had a t tel cost of £66,519. Against that they had the sale of property in Cornwallis-sheet, and 5,200 square yards of land in Dale-street, surrounded by twenty four yard street', and these he estimated weu d bring bout £39,000, although, in his conscience, he be lieved he might pot down 110,000 more, so much would the property in Dale-street be enhanced by the improve meaty which would be made. Deducting, however, the £39,000 from the £66,549, there would be a balance left against the public, as the chairmen of the committee had stated, of £27,519. It was for the Council then to consider whether they would not lay the foundation of such a great public improvement, which had been already twelve months in agitation. While it remained undecided they were losing the interest on the Saracen's Head land, and it was that consi leration which induced the Health Committee to press the matter As regarded the improvement itself, it could not be doubted that the exterminating the inhabitants of that wretched district—(laughter) —he meant the destruction of the houses there, would be a great good, and that it would also open up a large mass of property for the com mercial interests of the town. He admitted that it was the place of individuals to provide there own places of business, but it was alwiTs the duty of a public body to show them the example in improvement. He believed that the plan then before them would be an improve ment. It was not necessary to carry out the new street, though it was market on the plan to show what might be done at a future day; but, believing that under any cir cumstances it would be a great public improvement, he should support the recommendation (Hear, hear.) Mr. Alderman PARKER expressed his determination to support the arnendtnett. When he was a member of the committee the complaint was that the offices were in too noisy a situation. They consulted Mr. James Holme, and he procured for them the Coruwellis-street building. That wig a quiet and convenient situation, and yet now they wanted to return to a noisier situation than the first. Mr. Honsoa denied that Cornwallis-street was a con venient situ,ition for the public offices. Mr. J. R. JEFFERY cmplained that the question was not put before them in its entirety or in-egri , y. It was true the plan showed what the Health Committee desired ultimately to carry our, but they had selected a particular spot for immediate action ; and instead of the result being, as Mr James liolme hid stated, a profitable transaction, by purchasing the particular portion which was marked on the plan, he (Mr. Jeffery) submitted that it would be a very serious loss to the Council if the proceedings of the committee were to be confirmed, seeing that they would proceed at once to the prchase of a portion of land marked on the plan—a proceeding which would improve every property of which i, was intended they should ultimately become the purchasers. It was an unfirtunate circumstance that the Heal h Committee in their desire for improvement should have fixed on a piece of land, the purchase cf which would enhance the value of the neighbouring property, •hich was held by two indi viduals—Lord Derby and Mr. Cross, of :!;haw-hall, who would Le greatly benefitted, but at the cost of the in habitants of Liverpool. Had the selec•ion fallen on a part of the borough .here the corporate estate was situate, and where the investment would improvs corporate property, he could understand it, but he was at a loss to understand why the Health Committee eheuld have selected that particular spot of g.-ound w',ich would espe cially benefit the two individuals to whom he had referred, and enhance property which they would afterwards have to purchase. The plan as a whole might be desirable, but he submitted there sere other parts of the town pressing on their immediate attention with more force than this particular locality. Bold-street required to be widened. Accident upon accident had occurred there, and so also in Church -street, which equally required widening. (Laughter.) They had expended a large sum of money in widening Lord-street, and now that street was complete to the prejudice of Church-street, and BAd-street. He might be charged with partiality, but he denied he was actuated by any such motive. As to the view taken by Mr. Alderman /Lime, namely, that he would support it if the improvement ware made at the expense of the rate pavers, but would oppose it if out cf the borough fund, he (Mr. Jeffery) thought that was a very extraordinary grotto d to tyke, beeause ae public representatives they should be equally careful of all p irtions of the public purse - the rats on the inhabitants as well as the Corporate property. _ _ BRANChER asked if it was the intention of the Health Committee to purchase the whole of the site of the "Saracen's Head ? ' Al:. JAMES HoLmn replied that it wae, and that they would pay the Corporation for the land. Mr. Stiinr. thGught Mr. Jeffery's argument in opposition to the recommendation most absur. - 3, that they should not effect any improvement however desirable, because it m;ght enhance the property of somebody else. As guardians of the health of the people, it was their duty to carry out every possible improvement which wonld tend to that end, and such an improvement was the one in question. It would be a benefit to remove the wrotched buildings with which the 1, cality was crowded. It would be true economy also to do so, because in removing the people from temptation by forcing them to reside in better localities, they would undoubtedly effect a saving in the punishment and repres sion of vice, Mr. Alderman Routs suggested that it would be better to decide the matter at ones than to postpone it, as the Financ3 Committee were desirous to dispose of the land in same way. The amendment was:then put to the vote, and lost by 20 to 21. The voting was as follows : For : Aldermen Chilton, Bold, Horafail, Parker, Turner, GARDENS COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee did not contain any thing cf public interest. Mr. GARDNEa moved that the poceedings be confirmed which passed. CHURCII EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE. Mr. WAOSTAFP moved that the proceedings b 3 confirmed, which was carried without discussion. OBSERVATORY COMMITTEE. Mr. AIKIN, in moving the confirmation of the proceed ings, stated that the advantages of the Observatory were beginning every day to bs more and more felt. Tice num ber of chronome-ers tested was increasing considerably. Scarcely a day passed over that benefit was not conferred by it upon some one. The institution had became a kind of model observatory, not only in that, but in other coun tries. The Board of Trade had closely imitated the arrangements adapted in ir, and the city of New York was forming one on almost precisely the same plan. Mr. WAI,STAFF seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. WATER COM3I ITTEE. The proceedings of this committee contained the follow ing :—" Recommendation that Mr. Thomas Morris, Mr William Bryan, and Mr. William Jones, jun.. be promoted from the rank of third-cliss collectors to that of second class collectors, and that their respective salaries and poundage be calculated at the rate of £lBO per annum ; that Mr. J. B. Roberts and Mr. Charles Gibson be pro moted from the rank of second-class to that of first-class collectors, and that their respective salaries and poundage be calculated at the rate of £2OO per annum, and that the respective salaries and poundage of Mr. Thomas Ashcroft and Mr. John Jackson, be calculated at the rate of £220 per annum." Mr. WOODRUFF moved the confirmation of the proceed ingl, with the exception of the reclmm.ndations for promotion and increase of salaries, which, according to the standing.rule of the Councii, must remain over until the next monthly meeting. lie read the following return in reference to the supply of water : There has been delivered for the use of the towns during the last four weeks a tota' cnautity of 293,21-;,09 gallons of water, of which 149,772,000 gallons we e from Ilivington, and the quantity pumped 14 ,445,000 galon4, or thereahauts —making a weekly total of 73,554,00) gallons or thereabouts. Daring the. s , me period last year the qua Itity of water delivered was 177,229,000 gallons. Thus the quantity of water s! ands— For 1857... For 1856..., ...... _233,218,909 177,229,,,00 Exmss of 1857 over 1855 .............. 115,989,000 Or 60 per cent. The proportion of Rivington water to w,ter pumped from the Iota: wells has been curing this period : Fint week Second „ Third „ Ditto. Fourth „ . * June, 1856—Complaints , :irty water ..........16 1857 Lit o Less in 1857 .. 3 * Jaw, 1856—Comp:aints no water.... 1857 Ditto Less in 1857.. .112 Water distribatod since last meeting of the Council : F.rst Wcek, May 30.—Rivington water, 35,422,356 ; well water, 32 933,332. Tutal, 68,110,688.—Proportion of Rivington to well water about 9 to 8. Second Week, June 6.—Rivington water, 35,042 524 ; well water, 36,415.931. Total, 72,458,575.—Pr0p0rti n of Rivington to we.l wa er nearly equal parts. Third Week, June 13.—Rivington water, 33,851,647; well water, 36,813,848. Total, 75,665,493 —Proportion of Rivington to well water nearly equal parts. Fourth Week, June 24.—Rivington water, 43.455,639 ; well wa!er , 37,217,744 Total, 50,673,333.—Pr0p0rti0n of Rivington to well water about 7 to 6. The proceedings were confirmed. act of the Council itself which did so. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, whatever delay might have arisen in conse quence of that act, he begged to be allowed to stand absolved from it. It was represented at the time, that the Surveyor had a great deal of labour in connection with other duties, and had not time to devote to matters extraneous, comparatively speaking ; and he believed it was but justice to that gentleman to say that he had done as much as it was possible for any human being to do to second the efforts of the Committee in that respect (Hear.) But it was a master which required great contideration and a great deal of time. It was not a thing which a gentle man could take up one hour, and lay down the next, or ge through by fits and starts at any odd moment he night have to spare. What he had done in reference to the plans laid before the Council, some two months before, he believed were as well adapted fnr the purpose, in every respect, as it was possible for plans to be, so fir as con venience and arrangement wen t. B a t the surveyor, like all others, could only do a certain amount of work. One reason of the delay, therefore, was that his time had been so fully occupied by other matters, of very great portance to the Council and the public generally, that it w-14 rendered utterly impossihle for him to go on with the plans. The committee had therefore no means at their disposal. They were shoved aside by the resolution of the C_ until, which placed the matter in the hands of the surveyor. Another circumstance which contributed still further to the delay was the fact, that whan the plans were laid out before the Council upon the last occasion, any farther progress was, to some extent, suspended, by the resolution carried at that time to have the levels of the surrounding locality arranged and altered before anything further was done. A joint committee was appointed, consisting of the members of the Law Courts, and Library and Museum Committee, for the purpose of considering the questions of the levels ; but in consequence of the surveyor having been engaged, as the Council were aware, upon very important business in London, nothing had been ever done in that respect. With all possible anxiety, therefore, upon the part of the committee to get the work forward, their hands had been tied, not by any act of theirs, but by the act of the Council. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Picton then moved that the proceedings of the Library and Museum Committee be confirmed. Mr. WOODRUFF seconded the motion. Mr. J. R JSFFERY stated that he bad himself received a letter from Mr. Brown in reference to the delay. Mr. Brown wrote to him very despondingly indeed, and said— " Instead of having the gratification of seeing the building myself, I begin to fear that not only I may be disappointed, bat that my grandchildren may be disappointed in seeing its erection." It appeared that Mr. Weightman had had more work to do than he could possibly get through. It was due to Mr. Brown that they should take such steps as would facilitate the erecti mof the building. He was informed by gentlemen more competent to Ore an opinion than he was, that Mr. Wordley, who was at present in the employment of the Corporation, and of whose time not more than one-fourth was occupied, was in every respect quite competent to take up the plans whore Mr. Weight man had left them, and to bring them to maturity. He therefore suggested that Mr. Wordley should be instructed to carry out the plans under the direction of Mr. Weight men. Mr Siam agreed in the main with what had been said, but did not think it would be advisable, or according to rule, to adopt Mr. Jeffery's suggestion. He understood that the former resolution adopted by the Council was to refer the plans to the surveyor, leaving it to him to call in the aid of any architectural talent he might think ad visable. He suggested that the committee should be requested to have the building proceeded with forthwith. Mr. KITCHEN said the committee had been only waiting for the surveyor to return from London, in order that he might be present to make the necessary arrangement. He having returbed, it would !I'm be immediately taken up. The committee were all anxious to proceed with the least pos.4ible delay. Mr. HonsoN said, although he was a member of the committee, he should like the Council to express an opinion. The committee sat many times. They asked for plans, but the plans remained in seatu quo for a considerable length of time, owing to the amount of labour which was thrown upon Mr. Weightman. Mr. GARDNER thought sufficient had been said there on that occasion to produce the effect of expediting the work. Mr. l'untr., said he would move an amendment to the effect that the letter of Mr. Brown be referred to the com mittee,. and that the committee be instructed to proceed with as little delay as possible towards the erection of the building. M. A. C. STEWART seconded the amendment. The MAYOR said he did not think he could put an amend ment which would tend to supersede the surveyor and the reso ution of the Council. Mr. J. R. JEFFERY denied that the amendment could be taken to have the effect of superseding the surveyor or of interfering with a previous resolution of the Council. The MAYOR though}, if it meant anything at all, it must mean to supersede the resolution of the Council which placed the carrying out of the work in the hands of the surveyor. _ _ A. Fong and irregular discussion here followed, during which some ruemi - ers spDke several times. The Deputy Town Clsrk was requested to read the resolution of the Council, referring the work to the surveyor, but on being read, it was found to contain the worls, " under the directions of the committee," and did not appear to include any specified permission to the surveyor to call in the aid of other arch;tectural talent. Mr. Piero` said if the Council would give the Library Committee a carte blanche to go on with the building, they would proceed with it at once. The MaYoa said in consequence of precedirg resolu tions, no such authority could be given at that moment to the committee. He suggested that the letter should be simply referred to the committee. Mr. Sum urged his amendment, but the Deputy Town Clerk gave it as his opinion that the instructions it con tained was not in order. Finally, the letter was referred to the committee, after a bewildering dismission, in which several members addressed the Council simultaneously. The proceedings of the committee were then con firmed. HACKNEY CARRIAGES, R.C. The proceedings of the Hackney Carriages, Baths, and Birkenhead Docks Committees were c)nfirmed. They contained nothing of interest. The Coroner's Account, amounting to £39 63 63, was passed. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS. The Mayor's communications comprised—Letter from Sir John ilao - sden announcing the presentation to the town of two Russian iron guns, with their carriages. as trophies of the late war. Applications of Mr. J. H. Bally, corporate auditor, Mr. John Rodgers, in-door manager of the Water Works, and Mr. J. B. Pedler, schoolmaster of the Through Gaol, for an increase of salary. Letter from the Dock Secretary, enclosing communications received by the Dock Committee on the sate of the channels. Appli7ation from Mr. M'Kenzie, Superintendent of St. George's Hall, for an increase of salary. Application from Mr. John Fleet, Clerk in the Court of Passage, for an increase of salary. Application from Mr. M'Donald, Superintendent of the Chain Testing Machine, for an increase of salary. Memorial from inhabitants residing in Trueman-street, relative to the dangerous state of a house in that street. Mr. KITCHEN thought that in the present state of their finances, some step should be taken to check the constant application for increase of salaries on the part of their officers. Mr. R. JEFFERY gave notice that, at the next meeting, he would move that a special committee be appointed to inquire into the system of audit under the Corporation— the committee to consist of Messrs Stitt, Shell, Gladstone, Clint, A. C. Stewart, S. Holme. and J R. Jeffery. Mr. Jeffery mentioned instances of defalcation, to show that the system of audit was not perfec•, and moved that Mr. Bally's application be not referred to the Finance Com mittee until the inquiry he proposel had taken place. Mr. A. C SFEWART seconded the motion, which was unanimouEly adopted. The other communications, as above detailed, ware referred to the proper committees. Mr. Alderman PARRIR moved according to notice— " That the meeting of the Council for August, next be held in the Concert Room, St George's Hall. LIBRARY AND 1117381131 COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read. The Mkroa called attention to the following letter which ha had received from Mr. W. Brown, M.P.:— Fenton's Hotel, Loudon, 24'h June. 1857. My Dear Sir,—l have not heard a word about the Library since the foundation stone was lard. I begin to feel that sonic new ohsiaele to getting on with it has occurred. It anything of this kind has arisen, pray inform me. I niAbirstund that Mr. W,igltnao was here some days ago, but I was net f,rtunate enou g h to see him.—Your's very truly, War. Bnowx. PALMFRsTON .M A YANK F,E VI zw.—P.drnerston is in His Worship the M a y or o f Li verpoo l. practice the most thorugh-p a c d opponent of liberalism The Mayor sa id h e saw Brown in London a few days that has been seen among the men of England for forty ago and explained to him that Mr. Weightman's absence I years. His whole policy on this continent has been to had dele3ed the proceedings. He also urged the matter intrigue azainst this country, which he both fears and upon Mr. Weightman as strongly as he possibly could, and hares. He intrigued in Tex ss hr , ugh Captain Eliot, and ho believed Me. Weightman was now engaged upon it. in Central America through Chatfield, aq long as he could. Mr. PICTON said, with reference to the subject of that He se'zid en Ruatal Without a shadow of pretence, ani leter, he was aware that rema r k s h a d b een ma d e ve - y now refuses to reurn it. He gash-reela tl. et at San Juan naturally and properly in the Council, and in the del Norte, and endeavour e d in every way that he could, local papers, as to the very great delay which without shoving his hand too directly, to favour the Costa had taken place in proceeding with the build- I Ricans in tln-ir seizure of the Nicaragua transit route. ing. The first stone of the Library was laid He is now intriguing with Cost a Rica to despoil Nicaragua upon the lstla of April. Three months had elapsed since of any participation in that am : l.y of Americas commerce. then, and the very natural inquiry was, whether anything I Under sundry pretenc e s h e sent a Bri ish fleet to the Isth had been done. He was very sorry, as chairman of the inns of Panama and to Cirthagena lately, when he feared Committee, to have to say that h e was afraid not much that we would execute just punishurent for the Panama had been done; but, on behalf of himself and of the Com- massacre; and British ships are sow gathering at Vera mittee, he wished to exonerate them from any blame in the Cruz under various specious pretences, bat really with matter. It would be in the recollection of members, that orders from Palmerston to help the Pope and Santa the plans were put into the hands of the Surveyor, not by Anna, and the Spanish expedition all it eau.—New York the Committee of the Library and Museum. It was the Herdic?. Mr. WOODRUFF seconded the motion, which was adopted on a division by 15 to 8. This concluded the business. POLICE COURT. -YESTERDAY. LIVERPOOL. BEFORE MR MANSFIELD. DESPERATE ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—A young man, named Robert Kelly, described as a cooper, residing with his mother in Field-street, Everton, was brought up by officer 500, on a charge of having made a desperate attempt to hang himself The officer, said, he was informed the previous night that the prisoner had threatened to hang himself; in c-msequence of this he went into some waste ground that lies between Field and Canterbury-streets, where lorries were laid down at night. He looked about for some time, when he saw the prisoner hanging from the shaft of a large dray, that he had thrown up on its end. The prisoner tied a black silk handkerchief round his neck, then fastened it to the shaft of the cart, and then tilted it up, and would have been dead very soon, had not the officer cut him down. He was taken to the station, and the usual means were successfully resorted to, and he recovered; he was drunk at the time. The prisoner said he did not remember anything about it. He had been out on the coast of Africa and his head was not all right, and besides this he was on a drunken spree for the last five months. He was very sorry for what had taken place, and said he would stop drinking and behave himself properly in future. In reply to Mr. Mansfield, the pri soner said he lived with his mother, who was described as a respectable person His worship cautioned him as to his future conduct and discharged him. THE "SWELLS" AGAlN.—Jarcies Clarke, OEe Of the swells, who was remanded on the. previous day, was again brought up, by detective Scott, on a charge of having picked the pocket of Mrs. Kate Berrill, of 47, Boundary-place. Mr. Bluelt defended the priso ner. The lady said that, on the 25th June, she was coming from New Brighton by the boat ; she had her purse when leaving, but on her arrival she was accosted by Mr. Whittaker, who asked her if she had lost anything ?—and she then missed her purse, which contained a quantity of silver. Mr. Whittaker (the amateur detective) said he saw the pri soner on the day in question take something out of the lady's pocket, and put it into his own, and while he was speaking to the lady, the prisoner got away, and he did not see him for some days after, when he observed him on board the New Brighton boat. Mr. Block : Did you then arrest him ? No. Why not ? Because I was engaged with some of my friends. Mr. Black : You swore yesterday that it gave you the greatest pleasure in the world to catch a pickpocket. Now, why did you not arrest him then, as you had previously observed him com mit a felony ? Because I was then engaged with my friends. Mr. Black : Then your friends afforded you more pleasure than catching a thief ? Yes, on that occasion they did, but I knew I could catch him again. He swore positively to the identity of the prisoner. Mr. Block contended that the most that could be done was to convict the prisoner under the vagrant act, the same as his com rades were convicted on the previous day. His worship sent the prisoner for trial at the sessions. BEFORE MESSRS. J. BOLTON AND HEA*II. SEAMEN'S WAGES —Charles Smith, late the steward of the ship Ariadne, summoned Captain H. Twisell of that ship for £l-1 , wages alleged to be due to him. Mr. Godfrey was for the complainant, and Mr. Collier for the defence. The question in dispute arose in this way— The second mate and complainant had a quarrel at Havanna, when in the scuffle the latter had his leg broken, and was in hospital from the 10th April up to the 19th May, and for his expenses, &c., it was alleged that about £l3 was paid, and then this sum was set off against the claim, as it was alleged he got the broken leg through his own misconduct. The case was adjourned in order to have some accounts examined. CORONER'S INQUESTS. Yesterday the Coroner held the following inquests : On the bodies of Elizabeth Hill, 34 years of age, and Henry Woodcock, 8 years old, two of the persons lost by the sinking of the fdlt Sampson. The particulars of this unfortunate affair appeared fully in our paper of yesterday. The evidence in the case was just the same as we have already published. The jury returned a verdict of "Acci dental death." On the body of William King, who hanged himself in Jordan-street bridewell, on Monday night. The deceased was a master mariner, and was 5G years of age. He lodged at 110, Pilt-street. He was drunk on Monday night, and was locked up for annoying a femele, and whilst in bride well he managed to hang himself, alth , ugh it would appear the keeper paid every attention to him. The jury found "That he hung himself whilst in a sta',e of insanity." On the body of a child named Mary Anne M'Cahe, who wee overlain in a court off Mansfield -street. Verdict, " Accidental death." On the body of William Howarth, a labourer, 44 years of age, who lived at 67, Wolfe-street, who, about nine weeks ago, got his leg hurt, and died from the effects. Verdict, "Accidental death " AN OSTENTATIOUS SUICIDE. —A Baron de 8., who lost his fortune by speculations on the Paris Bourse, and who subsequently raised money on bills, drove on Sunday from the Rue de Rivoli, where he occupied a handsome apart ment, to Notre Dame, where he committed suicide by throwing himself from the tower. He held in his hand a summons which he had received from the Pracureur Im perial, to answer a charge of forgery. His body was conveyed to the Morgue. FANATICAL OUTRAGES AT TUNIS.—News from Tunis to theist instant has arrived via Marseilles, and thence by telegraph. A Jew at Tunis haring been insulted by the Moors, and having replied with blasphemies against the religion of Mahemmed, eves thrown into prison, and was afterwards beheaded, and his corpse abandoned to the insults of the mob. The consuls unanimously protested against these outrages, and Mr. Crowe, the Eriglisle vice_ consul, has . arrived at Marseilles, the bearer of a protest against the conduct of the Bey. A PRECOCIOUS PLACE HUNTER.—A Southern United States paper, The Atalanta [Ga.] Intelkqencer e publishes the following xquisi , e eroduction :—" Atalanta, Ga., Nov. 10, 1856. Hon. James Buchannan. Dear Sir,—The electi .n is now over, and you are President. Daring the canvass I have hollered for you until I am hoarse, and my throat is sere, and I have spent all my small change. If you have got any office that would suit a boy of my age, thirteen years, I would like to have it—and if nor, please send me tea dollars.—Yours respectfully,—." That youth will get on. A HERO INDEED.—Viosiuf relates that at the battle of Tiberia-, a certain Knight of the Temple, by birch a Ger man, named Jakeline de Maine, provoked the enemy, by his extraordinary valour, to turn all their attacks on him. His fellow soldiers, who were estimated at about 500 in number, were all either taken or slain, and he alone sus tained the weight of the whole battle. At length, hemmed in by the enemy's troops, and destitute of all human aid, seeing so many thousands rushing upon him on every side. he gathered up his whole counge for an effort, and bravely faced the foe alone. his valour attracted the admiration of his enemies; they were filled with compassion for him, and called earnestly to him to surrender. He, however, turning a deaf ear to their exhortations, was not afraid to die for Christ's cause ; but overwhelmed with the load of jay: line, stories, and lances, rather than vanquished, he, at length, was with difficulty slain. His death was ren dered glorious, indeed, since by his single sword se large a circle of dead bodies had been heaped around him.—Half Holiday. _ A hUT RICEPTTON. —At the Worship -street Police Court, London, on Tuesday, Mary Sullivan, a fiery-faced little woman, and her married daughter, Mary Ann Car roll, were charged with having violently assaulted a sheriff's officer and two of his assistants, while in the execution of their (Intr. It appeared, from the evidence of William Strong, the first couj:Linant, th it a warrant of ejectment from the Whitechapd C,unty Court having been placed in his hands for execution against a colony of low Irish, who had established themselves in Castle-alley, Whitechapd, he proceeded there on Saturday last, and gave notice at the several houses of his intention to return on Monday to enforce the process. On his arrival at the place with his assistants, at the time stated, he found a mob of between 200 and 300 persons collected for the purpose of resisting their authority, but they managed to force their wav to the first house, on reaching which the orisoners ',resented themselves at one of tba upper win dows with two pails of hot water, which they discharged over their beads. Their clothes were completdy saturated with the scalding fold, which compelled them to retreat precipitately, and Wain the assi s t ance o f a posse of policemen, who ultimately secured the prisoners. The woman Sullivan, however, offered a desperate resistance, in the course of which she attacked witness and his assistants with savage ferocity, and it required the corn biued efforts of three constables to convey her to the station-house. Mr. John Edward Drews, a solicitor's clerk, and John Haydon, the sheriff's official assistant, were also examined, and gave corroborative evidence. • Mr. D'Eyncourt said that, although the prisoners had apparently acted in ignorance of the law, they had committed a gross outrage, for which he should order each of them to pay a penalty of 10s, or to be committed for eight days to the base of Correction. CASH AND DEED Boxxs.—The next important thing to the posses- Mon of cash is, how (when you have got it) to keep it . safely, either in the counting-house or at home. The same remarks apply to deeds and other valuable documents. We have seen a large and varied stock of both these desirable articles, manufactured expressly for Mr. E. T. Hall, of South John-sireet,.that challenge attention. These 'boxes are made on new and admired , principles, and possess patent locks, which defy the ingenuity of asy "pick-lock" in . the world to open, except with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitors, and others, these new safes, on a small reale, must prove valuable ndeed —Northern Daily Times, 21st Nag, 1867.