The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-09-25 00:00:00

PROPAGATION OF THE •GOSPEL.

THE annual meeting in behalf of the Society for the Propa-
gation of the'Crospel will be held on Monday next, in the Hall
of the Collegiate Institution. The LORD 81-SHOP of the diocese
will preside ;:and the meeting will be addressed by the LORD
BISHOP or IVlELsoußrat ; the Rev. R. CXLJWELL, Missionary
from Tinnevelly, India ; the Rev. W. F. TA L.L.D.,
Ineumbent of St..Tnhn'. I, T. D. HoItsPALL, Esq., M.P.
On Sunday next, sermons will be preached in many of the
churches in Liverpool and the neighbourhood; and meetings
will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,
at Ormskirk, Rock Ferry, Egremont, and Eastham.
The claims of this society to a liberal measure of public
support are so well known as scarcely to need special advo-
cacy. It has been the great pioneer of civilisation, extending
the knowledge of salvation over the globe. It demands, as we
trust it will receive, the support of all Christians ; and we
have no doubt that the contributions at this anniversary will
not only be worthy of Liverpool, but of the interesting occa-
sion, when we must feel thankful for the success vouchsafed
to HER IVasEsTy's arms in the Crimea.

LIV_ERtP OOL BOROUGH REGISTRATION
YESTERDAY.

TICE Registration of Voters for the Borough commenced
yesterday, in the Crown Court, St. George's Hall, before
Thomas Shaw Brandreth, Esq., Revising Barrister.
Mr. Henry Bremner, Solicitor, and Mr. Buckmaster, ap-
peared for the Tories ; and Mr. Bretherton, Solicitor, and Mr.
Brumfitt, for the Radicals.
Objeotions.. 1' 654
The Tories have made ...... { Claims • •• • 197
bjections
The Radicals have made ... O . 1,021
Claims . ..... 234

The claims and objections in Everton and West Derby were
heard yesterday.
In Everton the Tories made .91 objections.
Sustained 4B
Withdrew
Failed
The Radicals made.........
Sustained 4B
Withdrew
Failed
The Tories made
Sustained 6
The Radicals made 26 claims.
Sustained 8
In West Derby the Tories made 132 objections.
Sustained. ..... 9l
Withdrew l5
Failed ...............
And the Radicals
Sustained 29
Failed 2o— 49.
Not one claim was sustained in this ward by either party.
To-day the Court will proceed with the objections and
claims in Kirkdale and Toxteth-park.
Tomorrow, with those against Freemen; and on Thurs-
day will be commenced the claims and objections in Liverpool,
which will be proceeded with until the whole is completed.
In our next publication we shall, if the Revision be completed'
give a complete analysis of the whole.

THE CRIMEAN VICTORIES.-VISIT OF THE
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE TO LIVERPOOL.

THE success which attended the demonstrations on Thurs
day last, in honour of the Crimean victories, so far from hav-
ing exhausted the enthusiasm of the public of Liverpool,
seems rather to have stimulated it. Concurrent with this
feeling, his worship the Mayor has called a meeting of the
Town Council for to-morrow, " to take into consideration and
determine upon the propriety of presenting an address from
the Corporation to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge, on the °erasion of his honouring this town with a
visit, on the 9th proximo ; .and of marking that day as one of
public demonstration and rejoicing, both in respect of the
visit of his royal highness, and of the successes of the allied
armies in the East, by illuminating the Town-hall and public
buildings of the Corporation, and otherwise."
On Saturday, a meeting was held in the Town-hall, composed
of several of the most influential inhabitants, among whom
were T. B. Horsfall, Esq,, M.P., William Brown, Esq., M.P.,
Charles Turner, Esq., J. H. Turner, Esq., J. A. Tinne, Esq.,
&c. At this meeting it was agreed to open a subscription for
the purpose of procuring funds to illuminate the Exchange
Buildings and other edifices not directly under control of
the Town Council; to defray the expense of bonfires in
several districts of the town ; and also to furnish displays of
fireworks. The propriety of rendering the rejoicing general
and brilliant, was warmly advocated by all present ; and the
expression of their feeling meets with a cordial response out of
doors. Under these circumstances, there appears not the
slightest room for doubt that the demonstration will be in all
respects worthy of the town and of the occasion.
The question of a general illumination of the streets and
private dwellings excites considerable interest, as it is ob-
vious that to carry such a project into effect in so extensive a
town as Liverpool, must be attended with a great amount of
inconvenience, besides in a considerable degree interfering
with an enjoyment of the spectacle by numerous individuals.
Other suggestions, relative to subsidiary arrangements, by
which the proceedings will be rendered at once popular and
effective, are under consideration; and will receive due atten-
tion from the authorities.

TEE VISIT of the DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SlR,—There seems to be a want of energy in preparing for
the reception of the Duke of Cambridge. Permit me to occupy
your time for a moment or two in endeavouring to point out
reasons for our giving him a procession and decorations through-
out the town worthy of Liverpool. A few years ago we were
honoured by a visit from His Royal Highness Prince Albert ;
he was received with a procession, bands of music, and a
great display. In what did his claims rest, except as the
Consort of our most gracious Sovereign, and the patron of the
different reformations which have been established of late ?
But, in the case of the Duke of Cambridge, the country has a
greater debt of gratitude. Not only have we in him one of
the blood royal, the grandson of George 111., the full cousin of
our own beloved Queen, but the able general, the brave leader,
the strict :officer, the free-and-easy messmate, and last, not
least, the soldier's friend ! Ask any of our poor wounded
soldiers from the Crimea, and those who, we would suppose,
could not have done more than see him, what they think Of
the Duke of Cambridge, and you will most likely receive the
answer than I have on more than one occasion received—" May
God bless him, he has been a good friend to us !" Added to
which, he has fought and been wounded (though slightly) in
the bloody engagements of Alma and Inkerman, and been
found in the midst of the thickest fight, leading and encourag-
ing his men. One further trait in his character, and I have
done. Though supposed to have had some difference with the
late lamented Lord Raglan, he came to the House of Lords
purposely to pass an eulogium on his late commander, which
must have been the admiration of every Englishman.—l am.
Sir, your obedient Servant, SEMPER VIGILANS.

GAS INQUIRY.

YESTERDAY.
EXPERIMENTS WITH METERS.

AT ten o'clock yesterday morning, Mr. Taunton, Inspector
of Gas-meters, London, commenced a series of experimental
operations, in a room of the Old Saracen's limed Inn, Dale_
street, to show the operation of the gas meter in indicating
the quantity of gas consumed. Having a graduated gas-holder
r of considerable capacity erected in the room, Mr. Taunton
proceeded to place one of the old or generally used meters,
explaining that unless these meters were placed and kept
perfectly level on their base, they would give a false
result. The gas was introduced through a meter con-
nected with the street main, •and passed into the
holder. A connecting tube was then brought from the
holder and so attached to a second meter as to pass through
it the gas required for supplying the consumption of three
burners constructed on the argand principle. From some
defect in this second meter, its action was unsatisfactory, and
the experiment with it was discontinued. A dry meter was
then connected with the gas-holder, and made to supply the
'necessary quantity for a five-light argand burner. This was
'very satisfactorily effected, and the operation of the dry meter
was explained.
MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

The committee appointed to inquire into the state of the
gas supply met in the Town-hall, yesterday. The chair was
occupied by Mr. Kitchen, chairman of the committee, and
there were also present Messrs. Crosthwaite, Bradley, Sheil,
A. C. Stewart, Homily -and Clint.
The CHAIRMAN explained that the first business to be
submitted to the meeting, would be a report prepared by Mr.
Taunton, who had been brought to Liverpool Prom London
some time ago, and who had now made an 'examination of
such a number of the Liverpool meters as fairly enabled him
to make a general report on the state of the meters in
Liverpool.
Mr. TAUNTON then proceeded to read his report :
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE 'SPECIAL COMMIT-
TEE APPOINTEID 'BY THE TOWN COUNCIL TO INQUIRE INTO
THE GAS MEITERS FURNISHED TO THE SIGROUGH OF LIVER-
POOL.

Birkenhead, 24th Sept., 1855,
13, Belle Vile, Chester-street.
. . .

Gentlemen,--Before giving a tabulated statement of the results
attained by testing the meters of Liverpool, I think it necessary
to remark, in consequence of certain newspapers in Liverpool and
elsewhere having unscrupulously stated that I am the tool of a
party interested in getting up an opposition Gas Company, and
forwarding the sale of some particular gas meter; both of these
assertions I most distinctly deny, and it remains for those that
made them to prove them.
The committee will allow me to state again that I hold my ap-
pointment as meter inspector directly from the Corporation of
the City of London, and as the Aet of Parliament of the Great
Central Company provides, I am by that company paid a fixed
salary, and entitled to a fee for every meter tested, and each time
a meter is re tested.
My appointment as meter inspector for the city of London I
principally owe to the votes of those members of the corporation
who were opposed to the establishment of the Great Central Gas
Company.
My position as meter inspector for the Corporation of the City
of London is the sole cause I .know of my being now engaged in
the present investigation, the Liverpool Guardian Society having
applied to me to take testings of the gas meters of Liverpool.
I find •the meters in general use in your borough are water
meters. To give weight in this inquiry I may state that. previous
to holding my present appointment as meter inspector to the
Corporation of the City of London, I held the appointment of
gas meter inspector to the Imperial Gas-light Company, the
largest and best conducted gas company in the country, where I
had'every opportunity of 'becoming acquainted with every de-
ecription of meters, both wet and dry; and although at that
period the company used almost exclusively wet meters, they are
now purchasing extensively dry meters.
Before leaving London for Liverpool, I provided myself ,wlth
renriate-toßteri meters, both water maw, and dry memos.
These meters I submitted to Mr. King, as well as Mr. Edwards,
his deputy, and before these gentlemen the meters brought from
London were submitted to a severe testing, and pronounced by
them as accurate measuring gas meters. Mr. King expressed
that he could see no objection to the use of the meters referred to
in testing the meters of Liverpool.
I commenced mytesting of meters in July, as the tabulated
statement which I am about to hand in will show; in which I
give the name of the consumer, the place where the meter was
tested, the manufacturer of the meter, the per centage for or
against the consumer, also how I found the meters dxed,&c.
After I had made some progress in testing the Liverpool meters
with the meters I brought from London, Mr. King objected to
my using them when he saw the results of my testings. I there-
fore procured from Messrs. Smith and Phillips, water meter
manufacturers, of Snowhill, London, a testing gas holder, which
I graduated by thecity of London standard, being determined to
do justice to all parties, and which may be re-gauged by Mr.
King, or any one deputed by him.
'I would now draw the committee's attention to the fact that
the same results are obtained by testing with the gauged gas
holder as I obtained by testing with the meters L brought from
London, as will be seen by the results of the meters tested in
St. John's Market. I would also state to the committee that I
have taken no testings of the various dry meters in use in Liver-
pool, although 'Mr. 'King promised I should, and I have made
repeated applications without being able to get any information
where they are in 'use; but of this the committee will form its
own opinion.
The committee cannot fail to observe that a large proportion
of the meters I have examined were found 'to be overcharged with
water, and of course registering more gas than was consumed. I
do not attribute this to any improper motive, but rather to the
fact, that the object of as inspector is to have as few complaints
in his district as possible, and it is in this respect to his interest
to keep the meters well:filled up, and this instruction is given to
consumers without the necessary caution to remove the side plug,
for in only three or four' cases have I found the consumer
know the use of the lop or bottom screw till they have been
obliged to send to the gas office, having filled the meter. and over-
flowed the syphon, and could get no light, and this will fully
account for some of the different quartets varying from 20 to 30
per cent., and some even more.
I cannot here forbear making one remark upon a letter' dated
Gas-office, Newington, Aug. .22, 1855, addressed to your Town-
clerk, in which the Gas Company state the inconvenience they
have felt by having withdrawn the officers for a fortnight, and
thereby not had the opportunity of inspecting and correcting the
meters.
With regard to the inspection of meters, I think my report
will show how little has been done; and had the inspectors
visited them, I do not think I should have found so favourable
for the consumer; for it is admitted by the company that the
men they send to water the meters do not understand what
effect it will have upon them; and although it was stated to this
committee by Mr. Clegg that hedid not think there was much
the matter with the meters, yet it is admitted in the gas com-
pany's letter that the meters require correcting or adjusting once
fortnight.a
I have in my tabulated statement condensed as much as pos.
sible the remarks made by consumers, thinking it would occupy
too much of your time, and now conclude this report by sub-
mitting two or three matters for consideration. And firstly, I
would suggest that the gas consumers of Liverpool should be
allowed to use any meter they may desire to use, provided the gas
company can show no objection to it; and also, that a consumer
may purchase his own meter, if he wishes so to do.
It would be considered, I am persuaded, very unjust to the
Liverpool public was every butcher, baker, and licensed vic-
tualler allowed to make their own weights and measures and to
use them, without having them first examined ; yet it must
be considered much more indelicate in the Liverpool Gas Com-
pany doing so, on account of their being the manufacturers of
the article they sell, and I find it is the only company in the
three kingdoms that do so. And were the butcher, baker, and
licensed victualler permitted to manufacture their own weights
and measures there would be no parallel in the cases, because
the consumer could purchase where he believed he could obtain
the fairest weights and measures : not so with the gas consumer,
lie has no alternative but to take the gas the company manufac-
ture, and to have it registered by a meter made by themselves.
p oel be
hahisetiaucridto ;4bwla.
And, secondly, I think it advisable that the corporation of
Liverpool should appoint a public officer to test the meters used
in your borough, a person qualified to give every explanation to
the consumer, so that the public may be fully acquainted with
the working of the meter ; it would be, therefore, requisite to
have an officer provided, and all the apparatus necessary for
testing procured ; and I would also suggest that no meter should
in future be fixed till tested by him, that he should be paid a
fixed salary, and that he should receive a fee for testing a meter
in use, the fee to be paid by the company if found to be
testedincor-
rect,
enregistersd publico
report
p toh
roebre consumer'stcehemer rpe ioo
ny shouldewhen
hatetena atldl
calledatpremises.ye
charged
may be
totoshtyi
clteidcetnooseeafueiols
otcdatfholnuetiddtandge
eeltsmai
hais;tetsi
desirable
erprroweeprt
and by the consumer if correct, and an extra fee should be
tput
hhpu
ellebot
committee
moanusnmaoannl
itthhionukt t callingh ey
will
the
considerattention
o f i
im-
portance portance in reference to the subject.
It will be in the recollection of this committee, that at a meet-
ing some weeks since a question was asked by one of the members
having reference to a dry meter in St. John's Market, fixed as a
check meter on the wet one. It was then stated that the dry
meter was found to register more than the wet one. I was also
told this by the Gas Company. Now, I find the dry meter was
removed to the Gas Office about the month of March or April last,
said to be out of action. This meter I find has not yet been re-
paired, and as this is not the only one of that maker's out of
repair in this borough, perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that
the party be written to, requesting him to furnish the committee
with the nature of the defects and the cause.
I have taken some pains to get the consumption registered on
the two meters, wet and dry, for two years, which may be de-'
pended upon, the officer in the market recording them every quar—
ter, when the Gas Company's officer took the state of the meters.
I was the whole of Friday night, after the market closed, testing
this meter ; but I found the company's men had been some weeks
since, and drawn off a large quantity of voter, so that I found it
only per cent. fast.
The other meter supplying the market I tested in the night of
Tuesday last, when I found it registering 54 per cent. fast, and it
is from this meter that the largest quantity is registered. I wish
it to be distinctly understood that both those meters were tested
by the gasholder brought from London, and, therefore, the
accuracy cannot be questioned, but must confirm all former
testings.
In this statement, I also give the results of the testings of four
dry meters, to which I had the opportunity of submitting the com-
pany's apparatus. They were taken down about the month of
March or April last, and were examined by the company's officer.
They are still in store; why they have not been refixed, I stay not
to inquire or give an opinion.—l have the honour to be, gentle-
men, your obedient servant, FREDERICK TAUNTON.
P.S.—I wish it to be distinctly understood that no testing re-
corded in this report has been taken but in the presence of one or
more officers of the Liverpool Gas Company.
In answer to Mr. Shell, Mr. TAUNTON said that in
(ltiMating the quantity of water which had been reported as

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.