The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-28 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

. movement at Drury-lane. The new piece is from the pen of
Mr. Elmira-Ir, and is called " Olympus in a Muddle." There
is not much of originality in it. Jupiter, satisfied that all is
not right in the Olympian establishment, resolves to set the
matter as it should be, and in a "thundering" rage orders
his subordinate deities to betake themselves to callings more
congenial to their respective natures, and as a result he con-
trives to leave "Olympus in a Muddle. Mars he fin& un-
fitted to do the service of a maid of all work ; Mercury,
although smart and trickey, and not over-scrupulous about
truth, turns out to be a bungling Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Neptune feels out of his element when called upon to take
the " ribbons" as coachman to the sun. Venus, though
potent in the wars of Cupid, finds her armoury unfitted to
the work of Mars. At length, after having turned his house
completely " topsy tarry," to use a classic phrase, the " wrath-
ful Jove" is fain to acknowledge that in his anxiety for ad-
ministrative reform, he has not been successful in putting the
right Gods and Goddesses in the right place, and the drama
ends by a return to the orinigal state of affairs. The acting
was good, and the performers laboured hard to make a hit,
but the success of the piece was rather less than simply in-
different. The subject affords but little scope for anything
beyond the merest common-place " fun" of the burlesque ;
and although several decided "hits" are contained in it, and
were delivered with telling effect, as a whole the piece met
with but a poor reception, and will not do much towards
filling Mr. BUCKSTONE'S exchequer.

LIVERPOOL GAS COMPANY.

A TRIP TO CHESTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
sin,—This is especially the season of pleasure-trips and ex-
cursion trains, and perhaps there is no kind of passenger
traffic which is more satisfactory to all parties concerned, not-
withstanding the absurd remarks made about it at the half-
yearly meeting of the London and North-Western Railway
Company. By the bye, I may remark that there is no com-
pany which has so much reason as this one to be satisfied with
excursion trains, which, under the able management of Mr.
Marcus, have become an institution of no little impoTtance.
It is folly to pretend that they interfere with the •regular
traffic, for it is well known—indeed, it must be obvious to
the shallowest comprehension—that those who travel by ex-
cursion trains are not ordinary travellers, but holiday-makers,
tempted by the lowness of the fares, which are something
akin to those in America, where it is said to be cheaper to
travel than to stay at home.
I have, however, wandered from my subject, which is to
recommend to your numerous readers in the comparatively
new towns of Liverpool and Birkenhead, to make a trip
to the ancient city of Chester, so easy of access, and pre-
sentine•' so many objects of interest, not only to the anti-
quary,but to the lover of the picturesque and beautiful, There
is something unique in these days of peaceful commerce,
when towns stretch out their streets through suburbs,
innocent of all attempts at defence, or thoughts of invasion,
to see a city completely surrounded with wallsl reminding one
of days long since past, when towers and forts, the drawbridge
and the portcullis, were the accessories of almost every town,
and told the story of civil war, or the dread of invasion.
Chester is, without doubt, the finest and the most perfect
relic of antiquity, and must consequently be an object of in-
terest to every one acquainted with the history of hisown
country. The streets, also, are very curious, many of the
houses being the veritable remains of this middle ages, with
their quaintly decorated fronts and curiously ornamented
gables,—one of them in particular being profusely covered with
grotesquely designed bas-reliefs from scripture history. Those
who have not seen the "Rows," as they are called, will be
struck with their simplicity, being like nothing else that I
have seen elsewhere. In other towns the footpaths run along
the streets in front of the houses, but in Chester the footpaths
are through the first floors of the houses,- so that they form a
pleasant and dry promenade; whatever the weather may be ;;.-
while the shops seem so snug and comfortable in their seclu—
sion,- that it is difficult to. avoid• the temptation of entering e
them,. in order to see their curious arrangements.
Then there is the ancient cathedral; with its line old dole-
ters and antique tombs, which will well' repay a visit; the old
bridge with the weir across. the Dee, over' which the river
falls in a broad cascade; the castle, still. garrisoned with
soldiers,. with its frowning battlements overlooking the
river ; the Grosvenor-bridge with its-single arch ,of enormous
span, and the picturesque Rhodee forming a, natural amphi-
' theatre, and perhaps the oldest race-coursein:the kingdom.
From thewalLs on the northern side may beseenthe canal at
a frightful depth, hewn out of the solid rook.; .while• every
street presents scenes so widely different from any tiling
which modern towns present, as to render Chester an olfeet of
attraction at all times. Nor is it without natural beautiesraa
the surrounding landscape, bounded on one side- by..the moun-
tains of Wales, is grand and. picturesque.
The railway from Birkenhead •to Chester -only fifteen
miles, so that the journey from Liverpool is performed within
the hour; and as many, in these days of pleasure exanr-
sions, are: asking themselves- the question—"'Where
we go ?" lam earning their• gratitude by advising.them to
spend a day in Chester. Such an excursion makerno,

great inroa&orl time or purse, .while it will present an almcst
endless succession of novelties, interesting in e-Tery way to, all;
who can appreciate an acquaintance with the things .of the.
past, and who love indulge in imagination 'tileir historical;
recollections. Railway comretition in • cheap trains has sent
many thensands to-SouthPort; both from Liverpool-and Man-
chester. It might not be amiss •for the Birkenhead mod.
Chester Railway Company to try a similar experiment bekre,
the fine, weather has departed.. It may. prove sdvantageeus,
both to and to their own funds.--I

VIKTOIt.

THE GAS"' IN,Q„U

THE special committee of the Town Council ,appointed
inquire into the local supply-of gmi met on Friday; present.
Messrs. Clint, Hornby, R. Glaelstenei Dover, Croatlawaite,
and Bradley.

Mr. Radler was appointed:!one of• the auditors, in poem of
Tar- Morris.

4
j The Cninr...4.Hys ,proposedAliat the remuneration ottihe di-
reetors be £soPTer.annurn for the present year. Mr. C. TITEMIZZ proposed a vote of. thank to the diilectors,
and expresssed,h4.regret at the attacks madam the Gas-Com-
pany out.of doors,,-because he felt that. these attacks were finite
Undeserved.. The chairmanhadi-referred to the determination
of the. directers:to withdraw from the inquiry going on, before
the council. The.t...matter- the directors had...doubtless. well
considered. -)Vbether. they- hast considered that in withdraw.
. ing they might be looked lipon, by the public.; as -taking a too
hostile view of,the znatter hedid.not know;: hut if anything
Of that sort weretheresui,,it would be mostrunhappy. It was
most- desirahle . that before.. the town they should,. not
appear. as regarding . the investigation a.• hostile spirit,
and.. he, • thought. that their ~withdrawing_. front. further
inquiry might belooked uppnin: that point. of,view..
The.. Cif:C.443E4N ,assuredr.,Mr.. Turner that. the matter
alluded to, had recelveth, the best consideratioa of. the
directors. When. they first entered into, the• investigation
they met the council in the; most friendly spirit ; they.
quite ackw.wiedged the right the collocate:interfere,. and
the company Wt, they hadi nothing to disguise, But as they.
were afraiALAlaat -objetti_ ons. would be . raised. which., at the.
moment itt.might.. be klanult to.rneet, they. had .come. to the -
Conclusion,..,not in -any hostile spirit,
.but with, a-view. to their;
own protect:inn, of.witMrawing from theinqnity. His brother,
direetors.were unanimous ,on., the point. When the proper,:
time came-they. would be prepared to gem' eoproper -answers. to,
all,charna, or, objections...
This bernainated the' piroceedipgs.

The communications between thetown-elerk and the ms--
company.were read:- The town-elerk wrote to.,Mr. Carson,. ant
the 18th, saying The special committee cu. the gas ques-
tion have retained the service& of Mr. Clegg, engineer„ to,
assist them in their inquiries, and he informs-them that. fair,
this purpose he should have access to the company,'s weeks..
plans of pipeage, &c. am instructed by the committee-to.
request that-Mr. Clegg-mayhe afrorded the fuellitles he req*es.,
He is staying at the Adelphi Hotel?'
This-letter having beenilaid before the direeters on theffithi.
together with. the report, they came to the,-foliewing resohat-,
tion Resolved—Thabit.appears from theabove reports. heat.
the caters of. this company who attended the-meetings d. the
committee of the couneilOaave clearly expresses i the. willireas.
of the directors -to meebany charges -that mayhe made argallsb
the company, and in. the absence-of any charge being &stab- .
lisbed, the officers are hereby:directed nob to attend any Air Cher.
meetings of the committee, and that, as. the directors, are- irk
ignorance of what the objects of those whaappear to be urging
the inquiry .before- the committee are, theArectors decliwet to,
permit anypersoa to have access to their. wet s, Plans•of-Piße-
agei &e."

-In transmitting: this resalution, Mr..Ge IL La3vreneee. the
chairman of the company, said :-.-" I take the .opportunity a .
1 assuring youthat our objection to continuing
.the iettemilee.ea
orour °faders at your committee, and: to throwing open. aux
' ivorks, &c., for public inspection, doesnot arise from: my want
of respect to the-wine/zit and, least of all, from, any- epprehen.
Bien of our inability fet/b, to meet thaeharges whiehhavebeen
insinuated againet us. We are ceesciotes that we have a com-
plete answer to-them, rhich we reserve until they reach us in
a more -definiteforra. Meanwhile,: we shall contiune,, to elis-
-charge the duties entrusted to uiene conformity wale one act
of parliament ma to the best of our ability.
The CneanKeze.seid that afterethe promises which tthey re-
ceived from the company, at a former meeting, the- committee
were now scarcely treated fairly. In withdrawing from the
inquiry, he thous that the cexnpany had precluded,the com-
mittee to a-considerable extent from obtaining, that informa-
tionwbich..they ought to have, .Placed es they were,lsowever, it,
would be the, duty of the committee to take the-.most advisable
course, in order to make thebest report they:could under then
ciremreeeances, and ultimately the following. resolution wile..
passed.:,--"The Town-cleriereported that he had written to Mr..
Carson xequesting that Yeti ...Clegg might, he. permitted to ex,.
amineetbe works of the company, and be-afferded facilitiesdoe
making. his report, andi submitted the. following replies, re.
ceieed by him. Resolved, that the committee learn withideep, - Decrease_..... .. :.. 23,257 li3, a - t 3,287 19 6
regret and surprise that- the- directorge decline to giyo the,
facilities necessary to,enable Mr. Clegg -to institute such- an. T.hpdecrease in goods trafiehai.takemplace entirely on the
line between Chester awil Birkenhead. the quantity carried.
iliqpiry as will enable. him, to. make. a full report as.: to the. bee=n•*the half-year ending 30th Juae,,1854_153,737 tonse
works of the compacny.. and: that the'y also decline tnpermit
II II 1855...143,477 tons..
theeontinued attendance of their, officers at the lreetinge of iie-it. is satisfactory to observe, that the traffic-on the line
thecommittee; time depriving, the committee of the means between Chester and, Manchester. continues to progress, es
and facilities of cbtaining that information which,the officers shown by the following comparison::
.of.the company had previously expressed their willingness to Carried in half-year ending 30th, June, 1854-39,72 A-tome
afford." .
II 11. 1855...49,36kt0n5.
In answer to-Mr. Reay, Mn, TAUNTON stateq-, that the dry The expenditure in the goods. department has been. de..
meter was better than tho wet meter, and raere, correct in, ' creased, but in the locomotive. department there has, been, an
registering.. increase, owing to the high price paid for coke and to the
Considerable.discussioa next took place as, to. retaining- the peculiar position in which the. company is placed with regard
services of Mr. Clegg e, and his:report, so ;fir ate he. heal been to the Chestmestetien.
enabled tio,draw one up,. was read. It stated amongst other ' A reduction in the price of coke has since been. effected,
things— and a further reduction is. anticipated when one of the eon-
" I (le not think there is much the "natter with. the- meters tracts expires next Christmas.
themselves, either as. regards workmenship or material ; and The. eoaching charges have been augmented by conven-
es to a respectable company selling short measure• knowingly, curved paid for in sustained by an accident which oc-
I cannot believes it. Should any such fraud, however, be cto a train in January last. All the claims, except
detected, and proved, it ought to be therenw.t, exposed and one, arising from this accident have been settled, and charged
traced to those who authorised ib. in the. revenue account for last half-year, ' Gas below its standard in illuminating power will fully The directors have much satisfaction in reporting that the
account for all the discrepancy in registering more gas than Birkenhead Docks have been sold to the. Corporation of Liver-
they ought. Gas below the standard aets. in two ways in pro, pool. The prospect of the docks being completed by the ori-
pelting the meters faster than they should. First, gas of ginal promoters was so very uncertain that the board felt no
inferior specific gravity will flow with greater velocity through hesitation in ;ruing their support to th'es passing of a bill to
the openings ; for instance, the average London gas, specific promote an object of such vast importance to the interests.
gravity 400, will flow through an opening et-inch in diameter, of the company ; and as the act requires that the works be
pressure le-inch head of water, at the rate of 80 cubic feet per completed within three years, the proprietors may reasonably
hour ; but bi-carhurated hydrogen from cannel coal, specific look forward to the increase of traffic for which the large
gravity about 700, will flow through the same opening only at expenditure was incurred by this company to connect the
the rate of about 70 cubic feet per hour. It therefore follows docks with the railway.
that, all circumstances being the same as adjusted for the A few days after the last half-yearly meeting an intimation
standard gas, the meter measuring inferior gas will go quicker was received from the Great Western Company that they had
in proportion to the inferiority of the gas. Then there -is directed their solicitor to prepare a notice of their intention to
another cause for increasing the velocity of the meter, and run their own trains over this line, but no formal notice to
that is the increased velocity of the inferior gas, and conse- carry their intention into effect has yet been received by this
quently greater consumption, still falls short of the illuminat- company. The directors regret that the state of the uncer-
mg power of the standard gas. To remedy this, the 'openings tainty in which they are thus placed, has prevented them talc-
are increased until the illuminating power is at the .standard, fug such steps as would have put the arrangements for the
and. as the inferior gas does not give out so much smoke by a carriage of the traffic across the Mersey in a more satisfactory
higher flame as the standard gas, the difference to an inexpe- position,
rienced eye is not perceived ;so that, taking both causes toge- The same difficulty presented itself in considering the extent
ther, the meter may mark on 15 per cent. more gas. for the of accommodation necessary for the traffic at Birkenhead; but
same light than it ought, without the consumer seeing any when the amalgamation of the Liverpool and Birkenhead Dock
perceptible difference in his burners. I therefore recommend Trust was completed, plans were obtained for the erection of a
that the gas be tested at least once a week by a competent warehouse and the formation of a basin on the station at the
person, but at no stated times; and, if the gas is kept up to
much the Great float: the cost is estimated at £15,000.
the merle there will not be found, I apprehend, By this outlay, accommodation will be provided for various
mater with the meters, except being over-filled with water by descriptions of traffic which could not otherwise be obtained;
umers themselves, in ignorance of the consequence. and, in conjunction with the system of hydraulic cranes, which
This defect can soon be remedied :—a defective one now ai:d is expected to be in operation hi about two months, a large re-
then, out of so many, there is sure to be. duction in the expense will be secured, and the traffic conducted
" I examined the illuminating power of the gas at the office with more dispatch and efficiency.
of Mr. Newlands, the borough engineer. It is a most elabora' e The estimates include a building, to which it is proposed to
apparatus. But one of the essential tests was not there, and remove the head-offices, and, by concentration of the staff,
and that is, a thermometer to tell the temperature of the effect economy in the management.

BIRIEaNTIS.4-MAANCASIIIRA,4IVoictiEsitium
Jul WON RAILWAY.

Tx3 ikalf-yearly. meeting of this company, was held at
11kulep Fer.ry, Hotel; Akkpnhead, om Saturday ; Mr. 11,711,1iam
Atkinson,: of Ashton Hayes, near Chester, in the. ehnin. the
late chairman, Ni- Bancroft, oemaring a seat au-iOVg the
directors. After tho,.usual prelim:varies:, the Secretary, \lr.
flaßso.y, read the .following

water that the meter works in. A difference of from 40 deg.
to 70 deg. will make a difference of about 6 per cent. in the
quantity of gas delivered by the experimental meter; but as
it wad', I found the gas equal in illuminating power to 17.89
sperm candles, each consuming 144 grains per hour, and the
gas consumed 4 cubic feet per hour.
" Your gas inspector, Mr. Taunton, has explained to me his
manner of teating the correctness of the gas-meters, which I
entirely approve.of. Many of the meters so tested he finds 5,
6, and even 10 per cent. fast, and that the meters are
mostly filled too high with water, and generally by the
renters' servants in ignorance, being told by the gas com-
pany's servants to fill them well up. But upon this point
Mr. Taunton will give his own report.
" If the old gas company persist in producing an inferior
article, I can see no other remedy than by a new company,
who might erect works and lay mains, equal to the present de-
mand, for £300,000. But if, on the contrary, the old com-
pany will do their duty, I think it better to let them continue
their monopoly than to break up the streets again, but of this
the town is the best judge. A new company would be able
to sell gas of 20 candles per 4 cubic feet per hour for 3s. 6d.
per 1,000, and make a dividend of 10 per cent.
After some discussion, the committee adjourned till to-
morrow (Wednesday), when Mr. Newlands, the borough en-
gineer, will be examined as to the pipes and breaking up of
the streets.

Thu annual meeting was held on Tuesday, at the offices in
Newington. Mr. G. H. Lawrence, chairman of the board of
directors, presided.
After the annual statement of accounts had been read by
the manager, Mr. Steele, the following report for the past year
was read :
It is with much pleasure that the directors have to report to
the proprietors that the business of the company has pro-
gressively increased during the past year.
The directors have taken steps to provide for the continuing
demand for a further supply of gas, by the erection of addi-
tional works between Edge-hill and Wavertree, and in such a
position as will afford to the company the advantage of having
the cannel coal brought by railway to the works.
The directors have now the satisfaction of submitting to the
proprietors accounts of a favourable character, not only as re-
gards the interests of the proprietors but also of consumers.
The anticipated result of the year's accounts ending the 30th
of June last, which the directors submitted to the proprietors
in the report laid before them at their meeting in August,
1854, has been realised, and the proprietors will ascertain from
the accounts now submitted that the reductibn of the price of
gas within the borough, which took place on the let January
last, has been fully justified.
The directors wish the proprietors to understand that one
great advantage which has assisted them in bringing the
affairs of the company to such a satisfactory result is, that the
supply of cannel has been delivered under contracts made
some years- ago, at a price much under the present market
price.
At the half-yearly meeting in February last, a dividend of
five per cent. for the preceding half-year on the consolidated
stock of the company,' and 2s. 6d. per share on each of the
£25 A shares, was declared, which together amounted! to
£22,521 6r
The profit and loss account, for the year ending 30th of
June last, shows the profits- of the company for the year to be'
£49,157 Os. 4d. ; deducting from which amount the above sum
of £22,521 55., leaves a balance of £26,635 15S: 4d. applicable
to the payment of dividend, and to the reserved fund.
By the act of the company, the reserved fund to be provided
is £3 per cent. en the paid-up! capital of the company, now
amounting to £433,l2s—that is- to say, a sum of £13,893 155.,
and the directors have passed to the credit of this find the suns
of 1A328 Is. 6d., which completes' the total amount now re-
quired by the act.
The- directors recommend that- out of the above sum of
£26,635,155. 4d., a dividend of £5 per cent. on the consolidated
stock; and 12s. 6d. pershare on the £25 A shares, be now de;
dared for the half-year ending the 30th. of June last, which,
together, will amount to the sum of £23,156 55., and this sum,
with theT3,3lB is. 6d. so carried to the reserve fund, makes the
sum of £26,484 Os. 6d., leaving a surplus-profit of £l5l Bs. 10c1.
The directors feel assured that the'above satisfactory result
of the operations of those _provisions of the company's act of
parliament Which secure to the consumers, with the increasing
business and, profits of the company, progresaive reductions
in the price of gas, will demonstrate to the- inhabitants of this-
community that, by giving to the management of the cozy=
pony their confidence and support, they willobtain the bene-
fit of -further reductions more speedily than by giving their'
countenance to agitations, which, whilst they- have had the
elect of distracting the attention of these whe are entrusted
with the affairs of the company from their proper and ne-
cessary duties,-must certainly occasion an eapenditure of those
fundo which otherwise would form the 'basis-of further re-
duct:bps in the price of gas.
The directors' first daty is to consider the provisirass of the
company's -act of parliament, and to take care-that the pro-
prietors are not prejudiced by any act in the management in
their reeeiving, the, axmount of dividend Which, the act of
parliament sancticias-;:nasre particularly when it is- considered
that many proprietors have paid large premikuns, to the
company, which, by trio• agt of parliament, have been-expended
in the works of the company, and npen which ne,protits are
divisible,. but, in fact, only giving to such proprietors- a divi-
dend of £5.-Per cent_ per-annum, and in: some cases. a,less, divi-
dend on the amount paid: to the company for their shares.
In consitision,•your direetws have to-state that four of the
directors, namely, Mr; Ear, Mr. Barton, Mr. Larwrence,
and Mr. .iliesr.ley, retie front the direction, but are eligible for
re-election.. GEORGE H. LAWRENCE, alai:l3lMM,
The report:en .the maotibn: of the CHLZEMA.N, seconded by
Mr. CuARAESTITRNESC,. VMS unanimously, adopted.
The Caxlnsr.AnanovectAhalt a dividct enor rive per cent. tor
the half year cmding4the 30th lune, be payable, less-income-
:, on the 23rit inst. The, resolution waz,--udopted. ,
In reply to, a question by Mr. C. Turner; the ensa-aatax
said that early notice wouldi be- given of any-intention ta make
a call upon the, A shares,- At present they were not in want
of money, but the new works. might render it necessary:.
Mr. H. Earlir,.M.r. James- Barton, and Mr., G.-IL Lawrence,
retiring directors.- were ro-elected, and Mr. John Grant
Morris was deeted in:-room-of Mr. Mozley„who retires, from
ill health.